Hamam (film)

Infobox Film
name = Hamam


image_size =
caption =
director = Ferzan Özpetek
producer =
writer = Ferzan Özpetek
narrator =
starring =
music = Aldo De Scalzi
Pivio
cinematography = Pasquale Mari
editing = Mauro Bonanni
distributor = Strand Releasing
released = 1997
runtime = 94 mins
country = Italy, Turkey, Spain
language = Italian, Turkish
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0119248

"Hamam" ( _it. Il Bagno Turco, also known as "Steam: The Turkish Bath") [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0654858/ IMDB: Ferzan Özpetek] ] is a 1997 Italian/Turkish/Spanish movie directed by Ferzan Özpetek about the powerful transformations certain places can cause in people. [ [http://www.sover.net/~ozus/hamam.htm "A love affair with a city rather than with one another" by Dennis Schwartz] ]

Synopsis

Francesco (Alessandro Gassman) and Marta (Francesca d'Aloja) are an uptight Roman couple running a small design firm. Their marriage, once the most important thing to both of them, is devoid of significance, with Francesco losing interest in Marta, prompting Marta to start an affair with their business partner.

Then Francesco's aunt Anita, the black sheep of the family, passes away in Istanbul, causing him to travel there to try to quickly sell the property he has inherited from her.

The family who had been managing the property under his aunt's supervision and direction welcomes him with hospitality, but is concerned about what the future holds for them. Their young son Mehmet (Mehmet Günsur) is particularly eager to show their handsome guest around.

When Francesco discovers the property includes a derelict "hamam", a Turkish Bath, he no longer wants to sell, but instead decides to restore the "hamam" and reopen it to the public. During this restoration work he also starts a relationship with Mehmet.

Meanwhile, Marta has arrived in Istanbul to quickly get a divorce from Francesco but is taken aback when she realizes how much Francesco has changed from his Roman self: Both the "hamam" and Mehmet's unconditional affection were just what he needed, giving him back a purpose in life.

Marta falls in love with him again, with Rome and their divorce beginning to lose their importance to her.

Francesco's unwillingness to sell the property has made him some enemies, resulting in his murder one day.

Marta decides to stay in Istanbul and run the "hamam", the final scene suggesting she has turned into a second Anita.

References

External links

*
* [http://www.ferzanozpetek.com Ferzan Özpetek official site]

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succession box
title=Golden Orange Award for Best Picture
years=1997
before="Tabutta Rövaşata"
after="Yara"