My Sweet Pepper Land France, Germany, Iraq 2013 – 100min.
Movie Rating
My Sweet Pepper Land
![Valérie Lobsiger Valérie Lobsiger](https://media.services.cinergy.ch/media/cropbox160/3b723e21538227f251dddadcbbea45348564e29d.jpg)
A lawman battles a corrupt tribal lord in Kurdistan.
Baran fought against the Iraqi army for Kurdish independence. Back in his hometown, he quickly escapes the marriage plans his mother has for him. An idealist who "won’t leave the country in the hands of the corrupt", he takes over the position of sheriff of a small village at the edge of Turkey. The area is under the control of Aziz Aga, who runs drugs and corruption. He also has his gangsters harass Govend (an extraordinary Korkmaz Arslan), the young and beautiful village teacher, to make her understand that single women are considered of low moral character and are not welcome. As Baran stands up to Aziz, he is increasingly attracted to Govend. This complicates things because Aziz considers his definition of morality to have been dishonored...
A Middle East Western, this excellent film by Kurdish director Hiner Saleem (Vodka Lemon) is a feast of intelligence, sensitivity and humor (a hanging gone wrong at the beginning is hilarious!). How can a country be reconstructed if peace, security and justice cannot be ensured? Honor and morality are simple ideas easily used to perpetuate flagrant inequality – especially against women – in the name of tradition. Luckily, the women in this film take charge of their own fates, supported by a few men sensitive to their plight.
You have to sign in to submit comments.
Login & Signup