Cinequest: One Day or Another

ONE DAY OR ANOTHER

In the Turkish dramedy One Day or Another (El yazisi), writer-director Ali Vatansever does a better job writing than directing.  The story seems to contain four threads, each about a different couple; but Vatansever cleverly reveals one decades-long romance by illustrating  stages of that story with the other seemingly contemporaneous relationships.  In a funny side story, a French backpacker happens upon the town and is mistakenly embraced as the new English teacher.  The child actors are especially good.  Unfortunately, the directing is clunkily paint-by-the-numbers.  But it is still a worthwhile and enjoyable film.