At the centennial of the Ottoman Turks’ genocide of Armenians, Turkish-German director Fatih Akin gives one of the most ambitious big-screen treatments of those atrocities: “The Cut,” a sweeping odyssey through three continents following one survivor’s quest to locate his loved ones.
Tahar Rahim of “A Prophet” stars as Nazaret Manoogian, an Armenian blacksmith drafted in 1915 to become a soldier, only to wind up a laborer paving roads. When his group of Armenians is to be slaughtered, Nazaret is spared and rescued by the executioner, convicted petty thief Mehmet (Bartu Kücükcaglayan), but is rendered mute in the process.
Nazaret then journeys to the Ras al-Ayn concentration camp; Aleppo, Syria; Havana; Tampa, Fla.; Minneapolis; and finally Ruso, N.D., in hopes of reuniting with his family. Along the way, he witnesses some horrific sights and himself commits a mercy killing. Director Akin does not make Nazaret out to be a saint. On multiple occasions, Nazaret chooses self-preservation over helping others.
At the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., siskelfilmcenter.org, through Thursday.
“The Cut” — 2.5 stars
MPAA rating: None
Running time: 2:18