Chiko (2008)

61% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
55% of users liked it
(402 ratings)

Isa goes by the nickname Chiko, and lives in a Hamburg suburb. Most people might think that means that Chiko is from a privileged background, but the reality is that every day of his life is a struggle. But now, in the dark underbelly of one of the world's richest cities, Chiko vows to get the… More Isa goes by the nickname Chiko, and lives in a Hamburg suburb. Most people might think that means that Chiko is from a privileged background, but the reality is that every day of his life is a struggle. But now, in the dark underbelly of one of the world's richest cities, Chiko vows to get the respect he deserves by any means necessary. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Özgür Yildirim
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Feb 9, 2008 Wide
Studio: Falcom Media

Critic Reviews

Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
This is frankly pretty cliched stuff.
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph
It's hard to take your eyes off Moschitto's bulldog-like antihero - with his dangerous lips and furtive power plays, he makes Vincent Cassel in Mesrine look like Dale Winton's camper twin.
Cosmo Landesman, Times [UK]
Despite the fresh setting and fine performances, Yildirim's screenplay is just too familiar to really admire. Instead of violent and ruthless Italians, we get violent and ruthless Turks.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
Chiko's German boss, Moritz Bleibtreu confirms his reputation as one of Europe's most compelling younger film actors.
Tim Evans, Sky Movies
Never does the plot deviate from its almost pre-ordained course and as we witness the rise and fall of Chiko not once is there a surprise in store to ramp up the interest.
Allan Hunter, Daily Express
The film has little new to offer but Ozgür Yildirim directs with assurance.
Rich Cline, This is London
Something more than just a thriller - a film as accurate and hard-nosed as it needs to be.
Wally Hammond, Time Out
Impressive directorial skills, if a trite plotline, are on offer in Turkish-German writer-director Özgür Yildirim's occasionally violent debut feature.
Tom Dawson, Total Film
The feature debut of writer/director Özgür Yildirim, Chiko may offer a familiar account of ambition, excess and revenge in the narcotics biz, but it's executed with assurance and acted with force.
Mark Ramshaw, Filmstar Magazine
The final scenes simply lack the necessary weight to turn Chiko into something profound, affecting, or entirely memorable.
, Empire Magazine
Starts in an impressive, genre-subverting manner but then reverts to type a little towards the end.
Nigel Andrews, Financial Times
The handsomely grungy photography, the moments of grislier-than-usual violence and the producing participation of film-maker Fatih Akin fail to rescue this moody thug epic from being a cross-Channel cousin to the UK's mod gangster genre.
Anthony Quinn, Independent
Too much of its urban grit seems in thrall to American precedents.
Anton Bitel, Film4
In Özgür Yildirim's vibrant thriller, the exigencies of genre clash with the realities of Germany's urban multiculturalism - but a bland central performance, and a paucity of surprises, hinder its rise to the top of the drug-movie hierarchy.
Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
Pathiasmeno kai filotimo skinothetiko ntempoyto, poy pashei ap' oles tis astheneies ton ntempoyton: filodoksies poy den kalyptontai ap' tis senariakes baseis kai tis skinothetikes ikanotites toy dimioyrgoy
Boyd van Hoeij, european-films.net
A gentle character sketch gradually makes way for a high-energy tale of loyalty and betrayal that is perhaps rife with clichés but works because Yildirim has established his characters properly.