Cornerhouse Digital Reporter Liam Stanley reviews Kuma….
A young Turkish girl from a small village makes a move to Austria to join a new family. Amidst celebrations and tears, she leaves as a wife to the eldest son – handsome, hardworking Hasan.
Directed by Austrian-Kurdish Umut Dag, this quiet film follows a Turkish Muslim family who reside in Vienna. At first the story seems plausible – a young girl married off by her family to another. However, as we learn more about the family we meet members who aren’t so welcoming to the newest member, Ayse.
It becomes clear that certain (younger) members of the family have taken issue to the fact that Ayse (Begum Akkaya) has been brought into the family as the second wife, or ‘Kuma’, to the head of the family (an aging grey haired man), with the intention for her to take over from the first wife, who is fighting cancer.
The catalyst for this situation, which might seem implausible to the western world, is the first wife sees Ayse’s arrival as a relief. Someone to take over the responsibility of raising the five children when she is no longer around to do so. The two form a bond based on family ties.
The first night of marriage provides some awkward scenes as the young bride shares a marital bed, seemingly more to obey tradition than out of desire, from both sides. This really is more a marriage of convenience than anything else.
A major twist in the plot and a revelation sends this film down an unexpected route, exploring how traditional ideals and modern living can collide, and what happens when they do within a close knit family. The whole situation and the problems that arise affect families across the globe, although this one is complicated and fuelled by religion and fear of shame within the community.
Kuma screens at Cornerhouse from Fri 23 August – Thur 29 August. Watch the trailer and book your tickets here.