Hamam (movie)

Hamam (Il Bagno Turco) is a 1997 Italian/Turkish/Spanish movie directed by Ferzan Ozpetek about the powerful transformations certain places can cause in people.

Francesco (Alessandro Gassman) and Marta (Francesca d'Aloja) are an uptight Roman couple running a small design firm. Their marriage, once the most important thing to both of them, is devoid of significance, with Francesco losing interest in Marta, prompting Marta to start an affair with their business partner.

Then Francesco's aunt Anita, the black sheep of the family, passes away in Istanbul, causing him to travel there to try to quickly sell the house he has inherited from her.

The family who has been running the house since his aunt's death welcomes him with hospitality, but is concerned about what the future holds for them. Their young son Mehmet (Mehmet Gunsur) is particularly eager to show their handsome guest around.

When Francesco discovers the house also has a derelict hamam, a Turkish Bath, he no longer wants to sell the house but instead decides to restore the hamam and reopen it to the public. During this restoration work he also starts a homosexual relationship with Mehmet.

Meanwhile, Marta has arrived in Istanbul to quickly get a divorce from Francesco but is taken aback when she realizes how much Francesco has changed from his Roman self: Both the hamam and Mehmet's unconditional affection were just what he needed, giving him back a purpose in life.

Marta falls in love with him again, with Rome and their divorce beginning to lose their importance to her.

Francesco's unwillingness to sell the house has made him some enemies, resulting in his murder one day.

Marta decides to stay in Istanbul and run the hamam, the final scene suggesting she has turned into a second Anita.