BIFF Review — Kismet (Turkey/2008/116 minutes)

I can't spoil the ending of Kismet for you (not that I would, of course) because I didn't get to see it.

My review copy of this dark, disturbing Turkish movie froze in the DVD player about 20 minutes from the finish.

But I really want to know what happens so I will need to go and see the film tonight — and I'd recommend you do too if you like brooding tales of deception and deceit.

The story starts with a hint of the horror to come — a quick flash of a man's face distorted with pain.

We next see the same man, Yusuf (Hazim Körmükçü), on a road trip to an island off the Aegean coast with his beautiful, pregnant wife Meryem (Ebru Akel). It's clear from the get-go that there are problems between the pair.

He seems cold and dismissive and it is quickly revealed that he is having an affair behind her back.

Meryem initially plays happy families, until she tires of her husband's bad temper when they reach the island and lose their way during torrential rain at night.

A terrible accident happens and the outcome changes everything for them both. They share an awful secret but it does nothing to unite them and everything to drive them further apart.

A third individual enters the mix — Niko, a deep sea diver played fabulously by Cem Özer. He is working for Yusuf salvaging a sunken wreck from the sea while keeping a close eye on the couple's activities.

The film features gorgeous cinematography and great performances from all the cast. But beware — it's not exactly laugh-a-minute nor fast-paced. It deals with death, lies and mystery and I don't think I smiled even once while I was watching it.

That didn't bother me though — I really liked the slow-building tension and the ideas explored about morality and guilt.

Kismet is the second of two films by director Abdullah Oguz at BIFF; Bliss showed on Monday.

• Kismet is showing today (Wednesday) at 6.30 p.m. at the Speciality Cinema.