Germany 2013
Starts June 12, 2014
Directed by: Buket Alakus
Writing credits: Ruth Toma, Hatice Akyün book
Cast: Idil Üner, Adnan Maral, Şiir Eloğlu, Sesede Terziyan, Demet Gül, Julia Dietze, Max von Thun, Janek Rieke, Steffen Groth
Length: 96 minutes
All it takes is two, second-generation Turkish women living in Germany, to make a wonderful comedy. In this case director Buket Alakus has adapted Akyün’s book Einmal Hans mit Scharfer Soße to make a film of the same name. This is a woman’s film, an immigrant’s film, and a heart-felt personable film.
At age three Hatice moved with her family from a village in Turkish Anatolia to Salzgitter (actually to Duisburg, but small things are changed in the film for a smoother flow). Now in her mid-thirties, she is a successful journalist living alone in Berlin. Her youngest daughter Fatma (Terziyan) is pregnant and wishes to avoid problems, especially with their father Ismail (Maral), by marrying her boyfriend soonest. According to family custom, Hatice should marry first; she is the older sister. This also presents a problem. She likes German men: blond and blue-eyed, supposedly faithful, dependable, and well-organized, while at the same time they should have a bit of Turkish ardor (“I would die for you.”) The title means literally “One Serving of Hans with Hot Sauce.” Several men come to the fore: Stefan, Gero, Hannes.
We can all relate to the story, even if we didn’t move to Germany from Turkey. There are the clichés: changing from a mini- to a full-length skirt before arriving at the father’s door step, sitting at a table bulging with delicious food which mother Emine cooked all day, ongoing rivalries between the cousins as to which family is adhering most faithfully to Turkish customs. There is the warm interaction and loyalty between family members: Father Ismail always asks Hatice about her future when stopped in the car at a red light. Naturally, there is a happy ending with a fantastic Turkish wedding. We are all wiser for having experienced the film. I recommend that you see the film AND read the book, which came out in 2005. Each complements the other. ()
(See article on the AWC website under Articles > Film Festivals 2013 > Filmfest Hamburg 2013 > KLAPPE AUF! Stephan Schade interviewed director Buket Alakus, of Einmal Hans mit Scharfer Soße as reported by Shelly S. (Birgit S. ***)