Derya durmaz biography of christopher

Whatever its eventual weaknesses, the arrival of this German film on our screens is cause for rejoicing. That's because Elaha offers not just one but two exciting discoveries. It is the first feature of Milena Aboyan a Yazidi Kurd settled in Germany who draws on the world that she knows to tell the story of 22-year-old Elaha who is established in Germany with her Kurdish family. So assured are her directorial skills that for much of its length I thought that this film would rank among the very best of the year. No less impressively the role of Elaha provides the first lead for the young actress Bayan Layla whose remarkable performance marks her out as someone of quite exceptional skill. These merits are so outstanding that I would recommend all serious film enthusiasts with an interest in international cinema to view the film notwithstanding that the quality of the writing falters badly in the late stages.

It is entirely apt that Aboyan's film begins with a memorable shot

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