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Steam: The Turkish Bath
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8.0
/10
2,695 Ratings

STEAM: THE TURKISH BATH

Hamam

Directed by Ferzan Özpetek
Italy, Turkey, 1997
Drama, Romance, LGBTQ+
  • 9494 minutes

Synopsis

Francesco, a young Italian designer with a rocky marriage, discovers that an aunt has left him property in Istanbul in her will. It turns out to be a Turkish steam bath, and although Francesco at first plans to sell it, the building, the city and a budding sexual attraction soon make him reconsider.

Synopsis

Francesco, a young Italian designer with a rocky marriage, discovers that an aunt has left him property in Istanbul in her will. It turns out to be a Turkish steam bath, and although Francesco at first plans to sell it, the building, the city and a budding sexual attraction soon make him reconsider.

Our take

Turkish-Italian director Ferzan Özpetek distils the distinctive sounds and colors of Rome and Istanbul in this steamy ‘90s love letter to city life. A restrained and moving queer drama about how one man leaves his old life behind, only to discover the sense of community he’s been missing all along.