The Edge of Heaven

German born Turkish writer and director Fatih Akin follows his acclaimed film "Gegen die Wand" (Head On) with this riveting and intricate tale connecting three single parents through their children that involves chance meetings, love and death across Germany and Turkey. After his father accidentally kills his prostitute girlfriend, a Turkish professor goes to Turkey in search for her missing daughter. Meanwhile the terrorist daughter travels to Germany to track her mother and falls in love with a German girl whose mother disapproves of the relationship that causes the illegal girlfriend back to Turkey and in prison. When the German girl goes to Turkey, tragedy strikes again. The original title "Auf der anderen Seite" means literally "On the other side" which shows the human misconception that while things may seem different, they are basically the same. Akin knows his native roots as well as his adopted country's, makes a profound statement about human condition and connections that's universal regardless of nationality. While the plot is intricate, the characters are not with universal appeal. The outstanding cast includes veteran German actress Hanna Schygulla. Akin proves he's a major talent in both Germany, Turkey and beyond. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.