Turkish Movie "My Father's Violin" Now Available on Netflix

A new Turkish film, which explores the role of music in the case of one fragmented family, is now available to stream on Netflix. The movie, entitled "My Father's Violin," is directed by Andaç Haznedaroğlu and stars Turkish actors Engin Altan Düzyatan, Gülizar Nisa Uray, and Belçim Bilgin.

The film follows the story of eight-year-old Özlem. She is the daughter of impoverished street musician Ali Riza, who must seek out the help of his estranged brother Mehmet after he learns that he is terminally ill. Mehmet, a seemingly arrogant, world-famous concert violinist, must learn to take responsibility for Özlem, a burden he initially rejects.

As the film progresses, the audience learns that Mehmet and Ali Riza both suffered at the hands of an abusive guardian when they were children, and watches on as Mehmet attempts to break the cycle of abuse.

"'My Father’s Violin (Babamin Kemani)' touches on issues of abuse and poverty, family schisms and family obligations and the struggle of the street musicians of Istanbul to make an honest lira while hassled by the cops," writes reviewer Roger Moore.

"This is all set against a backdrop of classical music and affluence in a film that presents Istanbul in its best possible light — glossy, cultured, cosmopolitan and historic. It’s all a tad heavy-handed [...] but as with many Around the World with Netflix offerings, give us 100 minutes and we’ll give you a taste of Turkey."

You can watch the film's trailer below.