Mustang (2015): Dir: Deniz Gamze Erguven / Cast: Gunes Sensoy, Doga Doguslu, Elit Iscan, Tugba Sunguroglu, Ilayda Akdogan: Set in Turkey with five orphan girls desiring a life outside tradition. We are introduced to five girls overseen by their strict grandmother and an aunt and abusive uncle. Their destiny seems to be aimed at an arranged marriage. They are locked up and sheltered away from any form of sexual conduct but they also seem to regain freedom. The first sister tearfully accepts her duty as a bride while the second goes along with it without a hitch. Tragedy strikes when third girl decides that this is not her calling. It leaves two left. The youngest is most adventurous and is befriended by a driver who teaches her the ropes behind the wheel. She is played with high spirited energy by Gunes Sensoy and her adventurous side rebels against her family tradition when she and lone sister board themselves up in the house to fend off their family and a wedding that neither desires. This sequence is gritty as the two girls search drastically for freedom. This is extremely low budget but the cast and characters are what make this film enjoyable. They shred the ugly brown garments they are forced to wear in favor of more sex appeal but they are trapped behind steel bar windows and watchful eyes. Only Sensoy can picture freedom over the horizon despite obstacles. She is the divider between tradition and the desire to merge forward to a life of no abuse and where opportunities hold promise and a future where choice has the opportunity to be an option. Score: 9 / 10
Review of Mustang
