Is Five Cities: Ankara Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2023)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Five Cities: Ankara, a standout production of 2023, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Drama landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into “Tanpınar’s Ankara. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "“Tanpınar’s Ankara... An Ankara narrative in the light of Tanpınar, who looked at the Ankara plain from the castle under a sharp glass light and delicately summarized the past, those days and the future of a newly founded city and a country from a rare perspective. ... An Ankara spectacle in five acts that will enable you to encounter Evliya Çelebi in the castle and its surroundings, and to be in the company of Hacı Bayram, Akşemseddin and Tanpınar... A humble tribute from two directors on the 100th anniversary of the Republic and Ankara becoming the Capital, and the 61st anniversary of Tanpınar's death..."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Hüseyin Avni Danyal does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Alper Kaya is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 46 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Five Cities: Ankara truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Five Cities: Ankara explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2023 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Alper Kaya respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Five Cities: Ankara is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Hüseyin Avni Danyal or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Five Cities: Ankara is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.