DARK HOLIDAY

US, 1989, 100 minutes, Colour.
Lee Remick, Norma Aleandro, Tony Goldwyn, Roy Thinnes.
Directed by Lou Antonio.

Dark Holiday is an interesting telemovie, reminiscent of Midnight Express. The film stands on the performance of Lee Remick as an American divorcee who goes for a holiday to Turkey, is persuaded in a rush to buy some artefacts which turn out to be archaeological treasures and she is held as a smuggler. There is the clash between the American mentality and the strictness of Turkish law. She is imprisoned, is strengthened in character by her experience and eventually is daring enough to escape (perhaps the intention of the Turkish government in making bail so low, so that she would not have to go through a trial which could embarrass them).

The film is based on the autobiographical book by the central character Gene Lepere, 'Never Pass This Way Again.'

The film has exotic Turkish settings, shows a more habitable jail than those presented in Midnight Express. However, it also presents the harrowing experience of the American tourist suddenly put in an impossible position, not speaking the language, suspicious even of people who are doing good, feeling frustrated at the efforts being made on official levels. In this, it is quite persuasive and involving. The supporting cast is led by Norma Alejandro (The Official Story, Gaby, Cousins) as the Turkish lawyer and Roy Thinnes as the heroine's impetuous brother. Direction is by Lou Antonio, veteran director of many interesting telemovies (including Good Sports with Lee Remick and Ralph Waite).

1. Interesting and involving telemovie? Identification with the heroine and her situation? The harrowing aspects of imprisonment and bewilderment about Turkish law?

2. American locations, Turkish locations? The exotic East? The courts, prisons? The contrast with the normal streets, tourist sights, hotels and airports? Musical score?

3. The title of the film? Of the original book?

4. The portrait of Gene Lepere: the divorce, her relationship with her husband and the reasons for the break-up? His concern about her? The voyage, the tours? With the group, looking at the ruins, asking questions about Turkish law and customs? Her looking at the tablecloths, being pressurised to buy the artefacts? At the wharf, the Customs? The first questions about the artefacts and her innocence? The Customs official and his behaviour, the firm's representative and his handling of the case? Language difficulties? The American Consulate intervention? her being detained? Her Turkish lawyer and the discussions? Going to the court, the condemnation, her going to prison? The bewildering experience of the prison,

5. The women in prison, their trying to help, her suspicions? Fingerprinting, the guard carrying her case and her wariness? The woman in prison who spoke English, but was frightened? Gene listening to delays in the bail hearing, the visits from her lawyer, the two men’s interventions? the American Consulate? Her learning in the prison? bunk, cupboard, washing, inspections? The ways of the second girl? The bond between them? The arrival of her brother, his reassurances, his anger and expulsion from the country? Pleas overseas? Ineffective? The build-up for the bail hearing, getting dressed, her speech and her humility? The judge's granting the hail? The low bail, the lawyer's interpretation? The plan to escape? The getting of help, information about her being on the list, not on it and then on it? The getting of the new passport and the entrance stamp? The reluctance of Ken to be involved? The American authorities? Her plan, going to Ankara, the flight, Ken letting her go through with the consulate people, waving her through, her escape?

6. The Turkish lawyer, a woman, her own experience, help, language, inability to do much? Advice, the bearings, in prison, helping Gene in the prison? The bearing, the plan for escape, farewell?

7. American officials, what was possible to do and not? Friendly support? The escape plan, his reluctance, his finally helping? Other American officials and businessmen?

8. The women in the prison, the tough woman and her speaking English, protection, money, the meals? Gene eventually standing up to her, challenging her to a fight? The other girl, speaking English, her American husband, the drug plant, her going to prison for her husband, the baby in prison? Gene learning the ways, understanding the women? Her final reconciliation, farewell?

9. The Turkish officials, Turkish law? Guilty until proven innocent? Laws about artefacts? Behaviour towards the court? The court and losing face? The question of forfeiting hail and escape?

10. A portrait of a woman? in a dilemma and a harsh situation? International law and authority? Coping?