Our Germany Fairy Tale ★★★★
The Maxim Gorki Theatre is set to present a thought-provoking production of Dinçer Güc̈yeter's novel, Unser Deutschlandmaërchen, on May 2. The show, directed by Hakan Savaş Mican, offers a compelling and poignant portrayal of Dinçer, a queer son of working-class Turkish immigrants, and his complex relationship with Fatma.
In the production, Sesede Terziyan delivers a captivating performance as Fatma, portraying her as fierce, blinkered, and sympathetic. Her devotion to Dinçer is both nurturing and injurious, creating a compelling dynamic between the two characters. Taner Şahintürk, in the role of Dinçer, convincingly depicts him as a seven-year-old child and a former actor, offering a nuanced portrayal of a character grappling with his identity and the harsh realities of his life.
One of the most poignant moments in the production comes when Fatma urges Dinçer to write about the quotidianly tragic history of his female forebears. This moment, culminating in Fatma's final speech, compels Dinçer to attend to the layers of history, making it a moment for the audience to ponder the questions raised by the performance.
The production serves as a cinematic showcase for the leads, particularly Taner Şahintürk. His portrayal of Dinçer is raw and emotional, drawing the audience into his character's struggles. One of the most poignant scenes is when Dinçer, having witnessed the degradation of his community, returns to his mother's home to work in a factory. Another poignant moment is when he buys high heels for his factory-working mother with his first week's earnings, only for them to be worn only once.
The production holds the ideological limits of Germany and Turkish-German immigrant culture to account, offering a brutal portrayal of a world of deferred dreams, cramped horizons, and generations of abuse. The haunting songs and powerful poetry in the production add to the emotional intensity, making it a production that is not a catharsis, but a moment for the audience to reflect on the harsh realities portrayed.
For those interested in attending, the show will be presented with English with German surtitles. Tickets and further details are available. This is a production that promises to be thought-provoking and emotionally intense, offering a powerful exploration of the experiences of Turkish-German immigrants in Germany.
