Evil Eyes Sea

In this rambunctious murder mystery set in 1990s Turkey, Samancı (Dare to Disappoint) contrasts a playful and vibrant visual style with deadly serious themes. For university students Ece and Meltem, the only escape from the cramped dorm room they share with six other women is diving into the nearby Bosphorus Strait. But after the two see a car driven by a university acquaintance splash into the water, they become entangled in a murder plot involving corrupt nationalist politician Aslan Adam, the car’s owner. The two meet with Adam, who offers them a generous reward to retrieve a safe full of American cash from the bottom of the Strait. Convinced they have a magical ability to make things happen with the power of their combined stares, the two women try to use their “Medusa’s gaze” to find the treasure and thwart Adam’s plans for political takeover. Whether or not they double cross the politician becomes a life-threatening decision. The bright colors, cartoonish art, and silly internal dialogue lend a whimsical tone to the high-stakes action. It’s a winning escapade. (May)