Crossing

Crossing, an international co-production from director Levan Akin, follows Lia, a retired history teacher from the country of Georgia, who is searching for her recently deceased sister’s trans daughter, whom she believes has gone to Turkey. She is joined in this by the brother of a former pupil, and together they wind up in Istanbul, a city of which Lia says “seems to be where people go to get lost” and that a fairly good description of what this film is about. It is about yearning, to a degree, but also searching and being lost, and maybe not found. It is at times intimate and broad, slow and jazzy, and always in control of itself. Yes, there is a central mystery, in that the two are looking for the niece, but that is really a MacGuffin, which allows the viewer an in to the emotional highs and lows these characters experience. Part travelogue and part personal journey, the film is never boring or pretentious.

Courtesy of Tri Art Film

Those looking for a conventionally told story will be disappointed, as much of the point and pleasure is mood, setting, a sense of place and how people do, or do not, fit into their surroundings. In this, the film does an excellent job capturing the beauty in the everyday, aided by cinematography that is quietly dazzling. Indeed, for a film made on a smaller budget, you never become aware of it, since the script, acting and editing keep the audience’s attention. The script is smart, knowing, and while touching on many serious themes, does not take itself so seriously that it ever becomes oppressive. Indeed, there is a light touch which draws you into the various characters, refusing to become preachy, a failure Hollywood films on a similar topic would not have avoided.

This is a film that will keep you guessing where it is going and how it might resolve itself, and when it finally rolls credits, you will more than likely feel very satisfied. It is a film that does not give easy answers, and is about the journey far more than the destination. Yet, where these people wind up is not unimportant. Aside from a few moments, upon arrival in Istanbul, of uncertainty about the identity, purpose or motivations of new characters, the film does an excellent job establishing the who, what and why of those characters. In the hands of a lesser director, there would be fake-outs, action, unnecessary comedy and less connection to the city. This is avoided by allowing the audience and characters to find their way, slowly yet surely, as they progress.

Courtesy of Tri Art Film

This is a film that you may, from the trailer, think you have figured out, or after watching the first ten minutes. Trust this reviewer when they say that you do not. Running for an hour and forty-five minutes, the film does not waste a sequence. Everything matters. There is something about character, story or place in nearly every frame. Yet, while this sounds like it is “best film of the year” material, it does have a cliché or two holding it back. Even so, those cliches mostly do not matter and you are indeed left with one of the best films this year has so far offered. Mzai Arabuli will not get an Oscar nomination, but much like June Squibb in Thelma, she deserves a nod for creating and maintaining a unique character. Lia is not unique because of surface reasons-she is a worried, ex-teacher with a drinking problem, driven to keep a promise to a dead relative-but rather how she is. It is in the little things, and her castmates, particularly Lucas Kankava, as her companion, Achi, and Deniz Dumanli, are exquisite. Do not miss this one.

Crossing is now playing in select theaters.

Missed any our latest reviews? Read them under Reviews & Insights now!