This is an interesting film about social authority and human behaviour. The film carries out socialist views yet in contrast the characters hold very traditional values towards themselves and in society. For example Bahar, the wife of Hasan, is a submissive character that (without the consent or suggestion of her husband) does nothing to upset Osman’s rule over her or the village. (Not a feminist character that’s for sure).

Osman, a widowed farmer and land owner, decides to keep all the water supply, which is found on his land, for himself. His brother Hasan does not agree yet does nothing to upset the brotherly hierarchy. Some of the villagers, upset, try and break Osman’s dam and make the water accessible. One of the villagers of shot dead by Osman, but Hasan is convinced to take the blame. In short, Hasan goes to prison, his wife is raped by Osman and he returns to take revenge.

But what I did not understand is why Osman wanted all the water to himself; he does not need all of it? Does this represent Capitalisms illogical ideology? How did he become the way he is, while his brother is so righteous and good? Osman and his brother Hasan remind me of Alexis and the “Avare”, Séraphin, in the Québécois novel “Un homme et son péché” by Claude-Henri Grignon.

Great film to watch, I suggest it to every cinema lover.