Head-On (2004)

A marriage of convenience in Hamburg between two troubled Turks changes both their lives in this fine, gritty, contemporary love story. Director Fatih Akin dives deep into Turkish culture and explores the slippery slope of identity and cultural pride faced by Turks who either move to or are born in Germany. (Strand Releasing)
Cast and Information
Directed By: Fatih Akin
Written By: Fatih Akin
Starring: Güven Kiraç, Meltem Cumbul, Birol Ünel, Sibel Kekilli, Hermann Lause, Mona Mur, Zarah McKenzie, Stefan Gebelhoff, Catrin Striebeck, Ralph Misske, Monique Akin, Francesco Fiannaca
Genre: Drama
AKA: Duvara Karşı
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Head-On belongs to 51 collections
1. 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (public: moderated by kozan26 - 226 stars)
2. boobs (public: moderated by Pickpocket - 50 stars)
3. 21st Century Top 250 (public: moderated by dardan - 49 stars)
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7. Full Female Frontal Nudity (Yes, Bush!) (public: moderated by iceblox - 26 stars)
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9. Best of criticker: Drama (public: moderated by avgcrtckr - 17 stars)
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12. Doubling The Canon (public - 13 stars)
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Browse the full list of collections
Stars | User | Rating | |
2 | ![]() |
begoniabol | 83 84% |
It's quite good, especially the second half. The characters go through a transformation, and it's both heartbreaking as uplifting (in a strange way..) to watch. I also like how it shows the Turkish culture
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2 | pepe1958 | 88 79% |
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Scorching tale of two Turkish immigrants in Germany, who meet in a hospital after both attempt suicide, and how their marriage of convience (she wants to escape her controlling family) leads to unexpected developments; a bit sluggish at times, but ultimately very rewarding, thanks a script written with depth and affection, and especially due to the unforgettable performances of the two leads.
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2 | simplicio | 84 77% |
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Typically, the problem with this type of redemption movie is the way the characters lose all their vitality on the way to normalcy, and suck the life out of the picture in the process. Akin can't avoid this entirely, but the incredible misanthropic energy of Ünel and the luminous Kekilli carry it much farther than I anticipated. Akin roots it all effectively in cultural friction, patiently turning a plot device into a foundation for his characters and their overriding alienation.
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Pickpocket | 8 82% |
Another great movie by the obviously gifted Fatih Akin.
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febraro | 50 10% |
A potentially strong story if everything wasn't overdone to the point that it spirals out of control after the first act. From then on it's just about how long you can take of people getting wasted, spanked, fucked and cut on their limbs by shattering glass repeatedly. By the end it has completely lost its message, if it ever had one.
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HKi | 85 97% |
It's modern Yesilcam melodrama. Tragical events, two people, postmodern scenes and sad love story...
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KasperL | 85 93% |
The poster reads "Raw, powerful, extraordinary..." and that pretty much clinches it.
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muutanet | 81 85% |
Very well written story of Turkish honour and marriage for girls. Escape, freedom and unexpected emotions. Both main actors were good, especially Briol Ûnel. The directing was time after time a bit sluggish, but otherwise well done. The story was segmented nicely with short, funny songs related to the plot.
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WWallce4prez | 80 72% |
Alcohol. Cut yourself. Drink more. Drugs. Sex. Sex. More of the bottle. Then..surprise twist...someone else cuts themselves. While a bit tiring, Head-On is pretty powerful while taking an earnest look at a bizarre love story.
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Vertiggo | 84 73% |
Strong movie about human unexplainable condition...
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Judo Koala | 70 34% |
Loses quite a bit of steam in the third act, but still an engaging, interesting film overall.
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mandy | 8 92% |
A powerful piece of film making, a moving story and an interesting cultural context.
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??? | 64 46% |
Love is such a desert
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Average Percentile 71% from 1885 Ratings | ![]() |