19 December 2023 , 16:11
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Netflix viewers already a bit bored by the current crop of Christmas movies have stumbled across a film so incredibly powerful it has reduced them to tears.
Turkish flick Miracle in Cell No. 7 has been labelled a 'hidden gem', moving scores of viewers to sing its praises on social media and to anyone who'll listen.
The film, which boasts an impressive 85 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, was released in 2019 and quickly became the most-watched film in Turkish theatres that year - and with its gripping narrative, it isn't hard to see why.
Directed by Mehmet Ada Öztekin, Miracle in Cell No. 7 transports us back to 1983 where we meet bride, Ova (Nisa Sofiya Aksongur), and her father Mehmet 'Memo' (Aras Bulut Iynemli), who grapples with cognitive impairments.
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Living in a small, secluded village with Ova's grandmother, Fatma (Celile Toyon Uysal), their lives take a tragic turn when Memo becomes embroiled in a dispute with the child of a military officer. In pursuit of a bag desired by Ova, Memo chases the officer's child, leading to a fatal fall off a cliff.
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Determined to hold Memo accountable, the grieving father insists on sentencing him to death. Memo, confined in prison, then endures harrowing mistreatment. Ova, resolved to help her father, flees their home, leaving a note explaining the circumstances to her grandmother, who succumbs to a heart attack and passes away.
Eventually infiltrating the prison, Ova reunites with her father, aiming to convince fellow inmates and prison authorities of his innocence. Ova asserts that a deserter, who witnessed the alleged crime, has been found and can testify to Memo's innocence. Yet, the dead girl's father remains unwavering in his desire to see someone pay for his daughter's death, leaving Memo's fate uncertain.
And it's fair to say that fans found it moving with TikTok user Ree S saying: "Cried from beginning to end. I relate to that movie', while another said 'Just watched it. OMG tears dripping down my face. Absolute game-changer. It’s totally brilliant."
Another TikTok creator, Izarshlai, went so far as to record a video of themselves watching the film, saying they couldn't make it past the 12-minute mark without crying.
Meanwhile, on youtube @disturbedtodamax posted: "Watched this movie last night, not only was it fantastically written, that man deserves an Oscar for his ability to act. It was incredible."
@mollasajedulhaque9639 said: "I thought my heart was made of stone. Then my friends suggested to watch this movie.. I cried like a baby after so many years. True masterpiece", while Luke Eccleston @eccyreviews called it a 'hidden gem".
Have you seen Miracle in Cell No. 7 yet? Did it make you cry, too? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below