If you feel like you haven’t had a good cry in a long time, this film will satisfy that need more than you could imagine. A fascinatingly portrayed emotional drama between a disabled father, his loving daughter, and fallen men in whose hearts—despite their grave transgressions—one can find a considerable measure of humanity and self-sacrifice. One of the most heart-touching films you’ll ever see.

Memo lives with his young daughter, Ova, in a small house on a hill. Memo’s mother, Ova’s grandmother, lives there with them. One day, a tragedy occurs in which the daughter of an influential colonel dies. Memo was present at the incident and immediately tried to help the girl.

Unfortunately, Memo is accused of murdering the girl. He is arrested and imprisoned. He endures several brutal beatings. Over time, Memo’s fellow prisoners come to realize that Memo could not have been the one to murder the little girl. When they manage to find a soldier who witnessed the incident from a distance, hope dawns that he will testify in Memo’s favor.

However, the situation quickly takes a turn for the worse for Memo. The death penalty is now inevitable. Despite this, Memo’s fellow inmates—and even the prison guards—unite so that Memo, who longs to be a good father to his daughter, can experience a miracle in Cell Number Seven.

The film highlights the importance of family, love, and relationships. It also shows the good that can come from forgiveness, sacrifice, and the courage of people in various walks of life. Running through the film is the message that a person with a disability—simple yet joyful—can bring light, meaning, and transformation to the inner darkness of otherwise healthy people.

The film’s theme compels viewers to reflect and reevaluate their attitudes, even among staunch supporters of the death penalty. The film’s premise was broadly inspired by the 2013 South Korean film Miracle in Cell No. 7.

Drama

Turkey, 2019, 132 min

Crew: Mehmet Ada Öztekin

Cast: Aras Bulut İynemli, Deniz Baysal, Nisa Sofiya Aksongur, Celile Toyon Uysal, Ferit Kaya, Hayal Köseoğlu, Deniz Celiloğlu, Mesut Akusta, Yurdaer Okur, İlker Aksum, Cankat Aydos, Yıldıray Şahinler

Parents’ Guide

Remarks by fellow inmates about intimate matters when Memo mentions that he was married but did not have a wedding reception.

Three instances of brutal beatings, or rather abuse, of Memo, a man with a disability who is suspected of murdering a child. Several other instances of blows. 1 instance of Memo being stabbed with a knife. 1 instance of a soldier being shot in the head. 1 instance of a man being executed by hanging.

The swear word “k**va” appears in the Czech subtitles in about three scenes. The word “sakra” is used about twice. The swear word “dement” is used once. A few instances of kissing.

Smoking appears multiple times. Apparently one scene involving the serving of alcohol.

A little girl falls off a cliff into a lake and drowns. A desire for revenge on the part of several people.

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