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Head-On
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Head-On
2004
Drama
2h 1m
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)
Directed by:
Fatih AkinScreenwriter:
Fatih AkinGenre:
DramaAKAs:
Duvara Karşı, Gegen die Wand, Head OnHead-On
2004
Drama
2h 1m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 70.77% from 1975 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
(1986)
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Rated 25 Jan 2012
83
84th
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
Rated 25 Jan 2012
Rated 10 Oct 2010
84
77th
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.
Rated 10 Oct 2010
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
79th
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.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 05 Jan 2017
8
92nd
A powerful piece of film making, a moving story and an interesting cultural context.
Rated 05 Jan 2017
Rated 22 Feb 2012
80
73rd
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.
Rated 22 Feb 2012
Rated 12 Aug 2011
84
73rd
Strong movie about human unexplainable condition...
Rated 12 Aug 2011
Rated 02 Mar 2011
70
34th
Loses quite a bit of steam in the third act, but still an engaging, interesting film overall.
Rated 02 Mar 2011
Rated 10 Apr 2010
50
10th
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.
Rated 10 Apr 2010
Rated 13 Nov 2009
8
82nd
Another great movie by the obviously gifted Fatih Akin.
Rated 13 Nov 2009
Rated 24 Aug 2009
81
85th
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.
Rated 24 Aug 2009
Rated 16 Dec 2008
80
86th
The poster reads "Raw, powerful, extraordinary..." and that pretty much clinches it.
Rated 16 Dec 2008
Rated 17 Nov 2008
85
97th
It's modern Yesilcam melodrama. Tragical events, two people, postmodern scenes and sad love story...
Rated 17 Nov 2008
Rated 29 Mar 2023
66
30th
Rough, intense drama brings to mind LEAVING LAS VEGAS by way of Lars von Trier – the problem is that Akin’s handling of this unpleasant material is functional and rote, and our two “heroes” are not fleshed out beyond being defined by their severe psychological problems, which leaves the film with a hollow, and vaguely exploitative, aftertaste. There is no faulting the performances from Ünel and Kekilli who commit 100% to their portraits of ugliness, but they can’t outweigh the film’s faults.
Rated 29 Mar 2023
Rated 22 Jan 2023
90
93rd
I could feel the emotions of the characters so well; it was painful to watch, but I was hooked.
Rated 22 Jan 2023
Rated 10 Apr 2021
85
85th
10.04.2021 Kartal
Rated 10 Apr 2021
Rated 18 Feb 2021
44
14th
shitty acting beside Cahit. rest is garbage and a bad gehtto storty about turks in Germany.
Rated 18 Feb 2021
Rated 14 Feb 2021
74
69th
Fatih Akin is one of the best filmmakers in Europe and won with "Head-On" many awards, including European Film Awards. This is drama in its best. Its difficult to find a better performance that Birol Ünel did here.
Rated 14 Feb 2021
Rated 23 Mar 2020
100
98th
bir dost gibi davran bana herkes bizi boyle bilsin bugun burada, butun olanlar sakli gizli surup gitsin
Rated 23 Mar 2020
Rated 29 Jan 2020
72
78th
yeah this'll get you out of your head for a couple of hours
Rated 29 Jan 2020
Rated 12 Nov 2018
80
75th
Captivating tale about a couple of misfits smashing into each other's lives like meteors.
Rated 12 Nov 2018
Rated 23 Feb 2017
80
89th
Love Story. Ama bildiğiniz Aşk hikayesi değil. Almanya kalıp, özgürlüğü doyasıya yaşayan, hayatlarına sınır koymamayı seçen 2 genç, sahte 1 evlilik yapar. Bu sahte ilişki, aşka dönüşecektir. 2020 yılında ölen Birol Ünel'in harika oynadığı film, gösterime girdiğinde oyuncuların özel hayatı filmin büyüsünü bastırmıştı. Fatih Akın'ın yönetimi, farklı tarzı, cesur oyunculukları, zamanı iyi yöneten kurgusuyla başyapıt. Filmin sonunda, herkes sevdiğine böyle mi yanar? Yine mi güzeliz yine mi çiçek?
Rated 23 Feb 2017
Rated 01 Oct 2016
90
85th
(...)Möglich, dass diesen Charakteren nie etwas Gutes im Leben widerfahren wird, egal was sie auch versuchen. Ihre Heirat beschleunigt nur die Abwärtsspirale beider. Immer wieder wird diese durch den Auftritt einer traditionellen türkischen Kapelle in Istanbul untermalt. Ist es so, dass Fatih Akin doch irgendwo ein romantisches Ende sieht? Oder nur die Möglichkeit dessen? Gegen die Wand ist auch ein Film voller Sehnsucht.
Rated 01 Oct 2016
Rated 21 Feb 2016
18
97th
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Rated 21 Feb 2016
Rated 10 Feb 2016
70
30th
Not a film I remember much about but with a sex scene with the male character getting all sweaty and being able to F. SO long undoubtedly only a circumcised (Turkish...) man can...quite impressive... that mental image stays with me after all those years. Made it worth watching the film.
Rated 10 Feb 2016
Rated 13 Feb 2015
75
54th
En skikkelig møkkete film der vi møter to mennesker som gifter seg av av nødvendighet, for så å sakte begynne å faller for hverandre. Den mannlige hovedrollen imponerte mest, spesielt med tanke på hvor godt han spiller dritings. En sint og intens film med mye på hjertet, men noe dårlig formuleringsevne.
Rated 13 Feb 2015
Rated 03 Dec 2014
75
60th
(2nd viewing)
Rated 03 Dec 2014
Rated 26 Oct 2014
90
96th
One of the best films I've ever seen, and one I could rewatch constantly.
Rated 26 Oct 2014
Rated 26 Oct 2012
80
84th
* Casting, Acting : 8
* Script : 9
* Directing, Aura : 8
* Ease of Viewing : 7
* Naked Eye : 8
Rated 26 Oct 2012
Rated 08 Oct 2012
90
87th
Fatih Akın izlemek çok ayrı bir keyif. Oyunculuklar, hikaye, müzikler. Enfes.
Rated 08 Oct 2012
Rated 25 Aug 2012
65
20th
beklentilerimin cok cok altında
Rated 25 Aug 2012
Rated 21 Feb 2012
75
76th
Not all of the acting is on point, and some parts of the story are overdone, but it moves fast and has plenty of interesting locations. A soundtrack for the gods.
Rated 21 Feb 2012
Rated 24 Nov 2011
20
41st
"Like the film's alterna-pop soundtrack and pop cultural references, Head-On is self-consciously badass." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 24 Nov 2011
Rated 17 Mar 2011
92
97th
The tone is almost a black comedy and it's both funny and powerfully moving.
Rated 17 Mar 2011
Rated 13 Mar 2011
65
26th
Messy but heartfelt tale of two outsiders caught between Turkey and Germany. Although it veers into overwrought soap territory at times, it's never boring.
Rated 13 Mar 2011
Rated 24 Feb 2010
5
81st
I do so love these off-the-beaten-path romance flicks.
Rated 24 Feb 2010
Rated 08 Oct 2009
90
83rd
Thrilling and alive, even if it veers out of control every so often.
Rated 08 Oct 2009
Rated 02 Apr 2008
88
90th
Dit is de film Gegen die Wand, dat vergeet ik steeds
Rated 02 Apr 2008
Rated 27 Oct 2007
90
88th
26 ekim - 27 ekim 07 - dvd- yasamin kiyisindan sonra basladim, gece bitiremeyip oburusu gun tamamladim.
Rated 27 Oct 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
83rd
Impressive, memorable, well-made story, with strong detail of characters. Message is clear but not at all pedantic.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
78
78th
the behind the scene documentary was also really good!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Cast & Info
Directed by:
Fatih AkinScreenwriter:
Fatih AkinGenre:
DramaAKAs:
Duvara Karşı, Gegen die Wand, Head OnCollections
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