Journey of Hope

In a village in eastern Turkey, tales of the economic success of Turks in Switzerland inspire Haydar to convince his wife Meryem that they must go. He sells their livestock and small plot of land in exchange for passage for two. He wants to leave their seven children in the care of the eldest and his parents; his father advises him to take one son to be educated in Europe. Will anyone reach the land of promise?

"Haydar" (Necmettin Çobanoglu) and his wife "Meryem" (Nur Sürer) live a stable enough but unpromising life with their seven children on a smallholding in Kurdish Turkey, and he is determined to improve their lot. To that end, he convinces his wife that they ought to sell up and try to make it to Switzerland. Initially she is reluctant, especially as they won't be able to take their kids, but when his father suggests that they take one of their sons - "Mehmet" (an impressive effort from Emin Sivas) to hopefully be educated she agrees and so they set off. Of course, they have no papers nor really any hope of obtaining any so it's to the black-market they must look to get them out of Turkey and into Switzerland via Italy. Initially, things actually go to plan but when they arrive at the Swiss border, they are turned away by the guards. Now with virtually no cash; no allies and no common language they must try to find their own way into a nation that is already knee deep in snow. What are the chances that they can stay together and make it to some sort of safety - and even if they do, will they be allowed to remain? There are plenty of films around based on similar modern day pilgrimages, but the focus on this trio works a little more distinctively here amidst a series of harsh elements to their journey that test their mettle as well as illustrate an uncomfortable venality from those keen to exploit the vulnerable. What wouldn't "Haydar" do for his family? Well that's a question he is repeatedly asked and a combination of some intimate photography - especially during the last half hour, and a pair of emotionally charged efforts from the convincing Çobanoglu and Sürer leave us in no doubt that their's is a quest fuelled by hope and aspiration and that there are no guarantees.