Journey of Hope
Journey of Hope
| 13 April 1991 (USA)
Journey of Hope Trailers

In a village in eastern Turkey, tales of the economic success of Turks in Switzerland inspire Haydar to convince his wife Meryem that they must go. He sells their livestock and small plot of land in exchange for passage for two. He wants to leave their seven children in the care of the eldest and his parents; his father advises him to take one son to be educated in Europe, as economic insurance. The three set off for Istanbul, Milan, and Switzerland, stowing away on a ship. At Lake Como, they pay the rest of their money to unprincipled men who abandon them at an Alpine pass before a blizzard. Father and son are separated from Meryem. Will anyone reach the land of promise?

Reviews
Protraph Lack of good storyline.
Borgarkeri A bit overrated, but still an amazing film
ActuallyGlimmer The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
rowiko This is as powerful as a drama can possibly get! It's a story that in real life has probably repeated itself over and over again. The origin of the people may have changed. The location of their treacherous journey may have changed. But essentially, the drama remains the same, be it 20 years ago in the Swiss Alps, or today somewhere in the Mediterranean between Northern Africa and Italy.Those fleeing from Political turmoil, from war or simply from poverty, will do anything to find a better life, and hope is what is driving them. And along the way they are more than likely to come across scrupulous criminals whose sole interest is to make money out of the misery of those poor souls trying to find "paradise".I cannot think of a movie that would portray this better than "Journey Of Hope". It's extremely powerful and comes across as very believable all the way. No wonder, as the story repeats itself in reality time and time again. Only the outcome may vary.I can only recommend this film!
futures-1 "Journey of Hope" (Turkish, 1991): A strong, clear, direct, honest, and sad film, without a hint of schmaltz. Join a contemporary Kurd family trying to leave Turkey for the perceived "paradise" of Switzerland (based on a postcard they get from a family member). Their journey is not spectacular, it is common, and in its commonness, we see its power. It is easy to forget you are watching actors that are not actually caught in these circumstances. "Journey of Hope" was given the Academy Award for Best Foreign film – and it was deserved. You'll probably have some things to discuss with your kids after-wards, if you watch it together…and I think you should.
palindromo-2 "Die Reise der Hofnung" is one of the best movies ever made in switzerland.Maybe only the director comes from switzerland,but I know him personally,and he told me that the whole movie was shot in switzerland.The story is about a turkish family,that leaves their country to come to switzerland.But they have to solve a lot of problems and some other stuff.(Some times the movie is a bit of irrational,for example why didn't they ask for help when they finally arrived in switzerland?)Xavier Koller,the director show us how difficult life is in the balcan. Great movie! 9/10
Coxer99 Tragically heart wrenching drama about a Turkish couple and son who cross the Swiss Alps illegally in search of a new life. Realistic. Moving. Sad. Unforgettable. Won the 1990 Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film.