G.O.R.A. (2004)

G.O.R.A. (2004) is a fast-paced Turkish sci-fi comedy that sends a slick carpet-seller named Arif hurtling into an absurd, affectionate parody of space-opera tropes. When Arif is kidnapped by aliens and taken to the planet G.O.R.A., he tries to find a way home, falls for the planet’s princess Ceku, and — by equal parts cunning, charm and luck — ends up pitted against the planet’s sinister commander-in-chief. Along the way he turns from a clever con artist into an unlikely hero. Watching G.O.R.A. you’ll get broad slapstick, rapid-fire jokes and witty dialogue mixed with satirical send-ups of classic science-fiction clichés. The film blends romance, action set pieces and visual gags with moments of genuine heart, and balances lowbrow humor with clever cultural references. Special effects and production design lean into the parody, creating entertainingly exaggerated alien worlds and creatures. Cem Yilmaz, the film’s star and creator, takes on multiple roles (four characters) and drives much of the film’s comic energy and timing. If you like genre-bending comedies, playful satire of blockbuster sci-fi, and a charismatic lead, G.O.R.A. offers a lively, crowd-pleasing ride that’s loud, silly, and surprisingly warm. Subtitles are typically provided for non-Turkish-speaking viewers.

Actors: Cem Yilmaz, Özge Özberk, Ozan Güven

Director: Ömer Faruk Sorak

Runtime: 127 min

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

5.0 /10 8.0 /10 6.5 /10