Road to Istanbul

Synopsis

Road to Istanbul (La route d'Istanbul) is a gripping drama released in 2016 that follows the emotional journey of a mother, Elodie, played by Astrid Whettnall, as she ventures into war-torn Syria to reunite with her estranged daughter who has become radicalized and joined ISIS. Fueled by determination and love, Elodie faces formidable challenges and dangers along the way. As the mother-daughter relationship is put to the ultimate test, the movie delves into themes of family, resilience, and the devastating impact of extremism. With compelling performances and a tense narrative, Road to Istanbul explores the complexities of human emotions against the backdrop of a troubled region.

Cast

• 

  Astrid Whettnall

  Elisabeth

• 

  Pauline Burlet

  Elodie

• 

  Bilal Aya

  Kader Slimani

• Patricia Ide

  Julie

• 

  Fawzi B. Saichi

  Rabatteur

• 

  Karim Hamzaoui

  Border policeman

Reviews

Road to Istanbul received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the film for its authentic portrayal of the emotional turmoil faced by the characters, others found the pacing to be slow and the storyline predictable. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a rating of 6.5/10, with one critic stating, "Astrid Whettnall's performance as Elodie is truly captivating, carrying the emotional weight of the film brilliantly." Conversely, IMDb users rated it 6.2/10, with some highlighting the lack of depth in the supporting characters. Metacritic gave it a score of 60, indicating 'mixed or average reviews'. Overall, Road to Istanbul has sparked discussions about its poignant themes and the impact of radicalization on families.