Let's Sin (2014) User Reviews

"They could have waited until the prophet passes by and then drink!"

[wujekroman · 8/10 · 16 October 2014]

Seen at the Warsaw IFF 2014.

Selman is an imam, conducting prayers in a small mosque in the city. He lives a rather peaceful life, playing chess via text messages and practicing baglama (a Turkish stringed instrument). Until one day two shots are fired inside the mosque and one of the praying men collapses to the floor. All hell breaks loose and - to make things worse - his dear daughter introduces her husband-to-be...

The film is not flawless. Perhaps there's a bit too much a bit silly music in it (NOT the songs - those are brilliant), maybe the climax scene is a little too long. But believe me, those are minor flaws; what you remember when leaving the cinema is a delightful mixture of a classic whodunnit, a funny (sometimes very funny) comedy and a modern look on Muslim religion illustrated by very well thought over photography (the Turks have been getting us used to it lately) and flawlessly performed (see the last comment). It's a thrill ride also, the plot thickens, new threads develop and - yes, you guessed it - nearly everybody around could benefit or at least wish the victim death.

Go see it and have fun.

A religious leader seeks for truth

[kursat_k80 · 7/10 · 21 May 2014]

A movie which established on an imam who loves boxing, playing chess and master of bağlama (is a stringed musical instrument in the Eastern Mediterranean culture), tries to investigate and reveal the truth behind a murder happened in his mosque while he is praying.

While the main plot going around this issue, the movie criticizes adopted Islamic laws chain for Muslim people in the country that event happens.

The movie impose on following ideas; Goods and properties which are more than persons need are illicit and robbery. Goldens and silvers are just materials to create a hegemony on poor people. One of forty rule of zakat - the practice of charitable giving by Muslims- is nonsense. There are people who moves to richer streets just to exploit the philosophy "person who sleeps on a full stomach while his neighbor goes hungry is not one of us" -a proverb by Prophet Muhammed-. So are you aware of the poor and hungry people on streets ? Those chain of Islamic rules are not for hungry people that walking in this grounds. These adopted rules are for monopoly owners, for the people who look for slaves. Nothing good can be obtained by these rules. The true Islam religion is not this.

And the movie has also small criticism to current government of Turkey. Maybe thats the real reason why the movie is marked as +18.

Cross of Sherlock Holmes and Father Brown in multi-cultural Istanbul

[johannesaquila · 7/10 · 17 October 2021]

This was the first Turkish crime film I have seen. It also has elements of action, drama, thriller, and just enough humor to make the whole thing palatable.

At prayer in a mosque in Istanbul, a member of the small congregation is shot dead right before the eyes of the Imam. It turns out the victim was a loan shark, and soon the muezzin is under suspicion.

The imam is reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes in that he plays chess, boxes well, and even plays the baglama (saz) in concerts, a Turkish folk instrument similar to a bouzouki or lute. But due to his position he has more of a Father-Brown-like role.

Everything happens in a small community in which everybody seems to know everybody. The plot is very intricate and probably has a number of minor holes, but it was easy to follow anyway.

The following short exchange, after the muezzin didn't do his job, first made me realize that this film was going to subvert some of my expectations:

Imam: Where were you?

Muezzin: At the church.

Imam: How is Ms. Ani?

Muezzin: Not well. They are praying.

Later we actually see the Armenian church (and hear part of the Mozart Requiem). Alevites (another barely tolerated minority in Turkey) also play a role.

The imam is a convincing proponent of the approach to religion that puts humans and doing the right thing first, rooted in a strong faith in God. He is religiously tolerant and is willing to risk his life to set things right -- while not going so far as to throw it away. After all, he is a (widowed) father.

Overall, this is a solid, well-rounded film that tries to be many things at the same time -- and is quite successful in this.

Worth to Watch

[burakparlak · 7/10 · 23 February 2019]

I watched it on TV and I can honestly say that you don't get bored while watching because it's escapist.

Acting is not good or bad, I mean they are moderate players.

You'll see different and poisonous side of religion.

Relationship of complicated and intricate people

Love it

[jobsonpt · 7/10 · 9 May 2021]

Someone mentioned like the BGM was so dull.. but I believe that the BGM make movie wonderful and screen play was awesome ... Acting more the main star is Super 👍

"Raped as a Child, and Then GAY!!!!"

[realicey · 5/10 · 21 February 2015]

In the end, one of the guys implies that he was raped as a child.This is why he is gay, he had no other choice! This is the stupidest and most ignorant thing I've heard in ages. Onur Unlu, are you on your mind?

Gaps in the plot.

Not convincing enough but comic book aesthetics.

Brave because lots of reference to the current Muslim government.

Serkan Keskin is awesome though. Epic performance. Charming guy. And one of the lucky actors as cameras are in love with him.

Onur Unlu is the director of Leyla ve Mecnun, phenomenal surreal comedy series lucky to be financed by the state television for years. But still, he needs a good sex education, I guess.