The Wrestler

Overview

Under director Zeki Okten’s steady hand but a weak script, this tale of a brother and his Turkish family caught between old and new traditions feels uneven. Bilal (Tarik Akan) is devoted to wrestling, following his father and grandfather, both champions of the sport. Beyond his passion, a provincial contest offers a big cash prize, so his days are spent training. Meanwhile, his brother, sister-in-law, and their daughter return after 12 years in Germany, struggling to readjust to their roots. Long, slippery wrestling scenes build toward Bilal’s big match, mirroring his family’s own struggle to accept a changing world.