Customer Reviews

Anno Saul's enjoyable take on the complexities of being a Turk raised in Germany
[Note that this product listing is for the Region 2 DVD. There's a separate listing for the Region 1 product - Kebab Connection.]

I've got two words to get the attention of fans of international cinema who might otherwise overlook this film: Fatih Akin. This singular mark of excellence (writer/director of Head-On [Gegen die Wand] and Edge of Heaven) adds his writing chops to this under-appreciated gem.

Oh, let me give you another two words: Sibel Kekilli. The breakout star/beauty/discovery of Akin's Head-On appears here in a very small role about two-thirds of the way through. [You really need to be on the lookout for her.] 'Kebab Connection' was filmed prior to Head-On's release and Ms. Kekilli's subsequent explosion, so she's a bit part player here. But when she appeared unexpectedly, I yelped with the delight of this little 'Easter Egg' planted in the film.

Viewers of Akin's work will appreciate director Anno Saul's somewhat lighter take (vs. Akin's heaviness) on the complexities of being a Turk raised in Germany. And Saul's superlative "movies within the movie" are the real gems here. These are the two 'commercials' that Ibo (Denis Moschitto) makes for his uncle's kebab ("doner" actually) restaurant. These aren't so much commercials as they are short films of the kung-fu genre (Ibo aims to one day make a full-length feature). His uncle thinks his money has been squandered...until the masses pile in as testament to Ibo's genius and vision.