Product Details

• Actors: Alessandro Gassman, Francesca d'Aloja, Carlo Cecchi, Halil Ergün, Serif Sezer
• Directors: Ferzan Ozpetek
• Writers: Ferzan Ozpetek, Aldo Sambrell, Stefano Tummolini
• Producers: Aldo Sambrell, Cengiz Ergun, Marco Risi, Maurizio Tedesco
• Format: Color, Letterboxed, NTSC
• Language: Turkish
• Subtitles: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Strand Releasing
• DVD Release Date: July 11, 2000
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004UEEB
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,246 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Steam: The Turkish Bath" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Tired of his troubled marriage and his profession, an overly tense Italian businessman's life changes dramatically after he learns that an aunt has left him property in Istanbul. Francesco Alessandro Gassman(the son of internationally renowned actor Vittorio Gassman) arrives to the Turkish city hoping that he can take care of the matter swiftly and return to Italy. He is surprised to discover that the property is actually one of the last traditional hamams (old-fashioned bath houses) in Turkey. The lawyer in charge of the inheritance seems to dawdle and this frustrates Francesco who is not used to the slow pace of the neighborhood where the bath is located. But then the family that has been running the Turkish bath for his aunt, takes him in and Francesco gradually rediscovers a long-missing sense of family as he accustoms himself to Turkish culture. Matters become complicated though when the couple's daughter Fusun falls for Francesco, who discovers himself increasingly and disconcertingly interested in her darkly handsome brother Mehmet. The Italian decides to remain in Istanbul for a while to help restore the baths. The situation comes to a head when Francesco's wife arrives to make an announcement. The ensuing conflicts cause Francesco great upheaval, but they also lead him to grow in unexpected ways. Having spent two decades in Italy, Turkish-born filmmaker Ferzan Ozpetek brings a sense of realism in observing the cultural differences between Francesco and his adopted family. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgia September 29, 2000

By A Customer

Format:DVD

As far as I know this movie was promoted in abroad by focusing its romantic gay relationship but It means a lot to me. As a Turk who lives in Istanbul, movie reminded me what we are losing as time passes by. Relations, values and beautiful Istanbul. It is totally a nostalgie movie which can bore most of the people who are get used to see action movies since it is a so relaxing movie. Scenario just reflects the Turkish life and the diverse cultural heritage of Istanbul. The locations that are seen in the movie are not movie sets but the districts of the old city where you can still feel the past with its architecture and religous places.

57 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishing December 2, 2000

By Blue Frog

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Once again, I'm a bit taken aback so many reviewers did not understand this film. My advice is this: if you're a Hollywood or porn fan, you'll probably feel the same as the viewers here who offered negative reviews. But if you're up for experiencing an intelligent and aesthetically beautiful film, you will enjoy this one.

This film is so many things, but summarized it's a piece of exotica (the East as seen through the eyes of foreigners) which takes advantage of its distant locale to peer back and dissect the social flaws of the West, and the forgotten humanity of the East as well. It accomplishes as much through a deceased main character, an Italian who late in life discovered her place and contentment in Turkey. Through the living characters, we discover her tale and journey.

I say this is an intelligent film as there are no black or white characters here; every character is multi-dimensional. No one character is portrayed as more valid than another. Nowhere else is this more evident than in the character of wife, who to the astonishment of the lovers shows up in Turkey unannounced. And in a brilliant twist, it is this character who is the hereoine of the film.

This a peek into a strangely beautiful place. It profoundly moved me.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars You either get it or you don't. . . I got it. August 27, 2000

By Enzo Lombard

Format:DVD

This was one of my favorite films of last year, about an impatient yuppie with all the modern conveniences in Rome that becomes intoxicated by timeless Istanbul, Turkey. This is a very subtle, magical film that was a fairly mainstream success in Italy. If you are looking for the american gay-styled "porn with great locations" you will be very disappointed. Ancient sexuality, wafting from young women to young men in their sexual prime, is too complex for our very modern, narrow perceptions of gay and straight. It is more about feeling overwhelmed in the modern world and wanting to be taken away. The acting is sexy in a very sophisticated way that will be completely lost on all but the most seasoned American film viewer. Treat yourself.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent film September 24, 2000

By Karl A. Zeigler

Format:DVD

"Steam" is yet another film ("American Beauty" and "Fight Club") which examines our lack of fulfillment in conventional society. "Steam" sets itself apart by being life-affirming; though not a "happy" film in the American sense, it shows that happiness through pursuit of one's desires is possible.

Those hoping to see an expensive porn movie will be disappointed, though it is not lacking in eroticism due to the superb acting (those stares!) and location.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Movie - but packaged so as not to do it justice August 20, 2002

By London

Format:DVD

This is a superb film - very atmospheric, and captures Istanbul perfectly. The description of the winds is spot on. It's a film about self discovery and getting balance in life (in the same way that Local Hero was) and about beoming entraced by an idea, and a different approach to life.

It is not a 'gay' movie at all, despite the cover and the hype. Ok there is an element (without giving the story away), but it is a sensitive and clever film exploring a group of people.

It's not a 'romp' movie. Anyone who buys it for watching alone for self comfort will be hugely disappointed. Anyone who buys it for a great story and tremendous atmoshere will have an excellent evening.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A movie for the higher mind. November 12, 2000

By Flora Beart

Format:DVD

If you're "lower chakra", this movie will disappoint you. This movie beautifully portrays the many forms that love can take, including the possibility that a place can also fall in love with a person. (I like this idea a lot.) The character Mehmet talks about the 'way of the hamam - where you learn the love for all things'.

This movie also shows a way of life in Turkey that is perhaps disappearing; an old style of architecture that is perhaps endangered there, as in the whole world, by developers. And this movie shows the wonderful ways of the Turkish people -they wrote the book on hospitality, and so many of them are totally psychic - if you travel to Turkey, someone somewhere will read your palm or your coffee grounds and will be amazingly accurate. They seem to be able to see right into your soul.

This is a wonderful movie.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the finest love stories April 6, 2001

By David G. Cercone Jr.

Format:DVD

This movie is one of the most eloquent, elegant love stories to come along in years. I cannot reccomend this film highly enough, not only to gay viewers,especially younger people who should see that there is more to life than cheap sex and dancemusic, but to straight people as well. The film is as much the tale of Marta's awakeing as it is about Francesco's. He is healed and transformed by Mehmet's love and his adoption of his Aunt's vision of life. Marta in fact is really almost the central character as she is almost transformed into the reincarnation of Francesco's dead Aunt (whose letters set the whole plot in motion and transform both her nephew's life and the lives of all around him: Marta, Mehmet)The soundtrack is one of the most sensual and evocative to come round in ages and is a must have! Buy or at least rent this hopeful, sad, subtle little knife of a film and you'll find yourself wanting to see Istanbul itself next....