BFI London Film Festival: The Lamb

The latest feature by artist and writer-director Kutluğ Ataman (Lola + Bilidikid, Journey to the Moon) is a deft, mischievously funny yet touching fable about a rural community in the mountains of Eastern Anatolia.

Young Mert is of an age to be circumcised, but the lamb traditionally required for the celebratory banquet costs more than his unemployed father and proud mother can afford. What’s more, Mert’s older sister tells him, if an animal can’t be found, the boy himself will be slaughtered and served up to the guests. Highlighting the vulnerability and cruelty of children, the fickle irresponsibility of men, and the guile, strength and supportiveness of women, Ataman paints a sympathetic but far from sentimental portrait of Turkish village life.

Eliciting sturdy performances from his cast – particularly the youngsters – and making evocative use of wintry landscapes, strikingly shot by Feza Caldiran, Ataman again proves himself a consummate storyteller. [Geoff Andrew]

Tickets for London Film Festival screenings can be purchased through the BFI and BFI Box Office 020 7928 3232 (9.30am-8.30pm daily) or the London Film Festival website: bfi.org.uk/lff