I Saw the Sun
A Kurdish family’s forced dispersal exposes the costs of war, exile, prejudice, and queer self-discovery.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melodramatic
- harrowing
- compassionate
- serious drama night
- social issue film discussion
What critics said
Critics viewed it as an ambitious, humanist melodramatic epic whose message of fraternity and social harmony is powerful despite overextended monologues and heavy-handed politics.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Altun family divides between a Turkish city and Norway after war empties their village.
Kadri's friendship with trans women helps him understand his difference, while relatives respond with abuse and disgrace.
The story begins in a southeastern Turkish mountain village devastated by a 25-year war and depopulation.
Davut's family relies on smugglers to reach Norway, then faces relentless hardship while working in a supermarket.
Films like I Saw the Sun, and why
The Edge of Heaven
melodramatic family saga confronting displacement, minority identity, and political violence
Head-On
socially engaged drama about migration, family rupture, and cultural dislocation
In This World
ensemble humanist drama linking forced migration with marginalized identities and family conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- Mahsun Kırmızıgül
- Release Date
- 2009-03-13
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (100)
Cast
- Mahsun Kırmızıgül
- Demet Evgar
- Murat Ünalmış
- Altan Erkekli
- Erol Demiröz
- Cemal Toktas
- Menderes Samancılar
- Emre Kınay
- Ayta Sözeri
- Buğra Gülsoy
Common questions
- What is I Saw the Sun about?
- A Kurdish family’s forced dispersal exposes the costs of war, exile, prejudice, and queer self-discovery.
- What is I Saw the Sun like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of I Saw the Sun as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is I Saw the Sun violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in I Saw the Sun as moderate.
- What did critics think of I Saw the Sun?
- Critics viewed it as an ambitious, humanist melodramatic epic whose message of fraternity and social harmony is powerful despite overextended monologues and heavy-handed politics.
- Which films are like I Saw the Sun?
- Films with a similar feel include The Edge of Heaven, Head-On, and In This World.
- How long is I Saw the Sun?
- I Saw the Sun runs 115 minutes.
