I loved this film, the first of Akin’s I have seen. But now I will find and see the rest and look forward to his next.

His characters are so believable and sympathetic, even a bristly one like Ayten, because they are drawn so deeply.

And he shows how complicated life is/can become if we dare to step outside of our well defined (defined by whom?) identities. there lies danger, complications, difficulty but also a chance for meaning, closeness, empathy, understanding, love.

It was a revelation to see Lotte’s mother move toward an understanding of her daughter’s lifestyle and choices, and I thought the scenes in which she releases her grief were beautifully handled (no small thanks to a mature and talented actor in Hanna Schygulla), but in the wrong hands this could have ruined the film.

Akin seems to gets his politics across without having to do the banner waving – or am I too left of centre to notice? – but the more the average movie going public is exposed to complex issues of racism, human rights, personal politics etc in well crafted films such as this, well, the world will surely be better off.

…and seeing this film makes you want to take all (laugh!) your money out of the bank and just get on a plane and…..