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Reviews
The Protector (2018)
Binge worthy!
Istanbul is a centuries old beacon of the fusion between East West. In this first Turkish Netflix production, we see a creative, modern, fantastical take of Istanbul, with breathtaking views of the city, presented through the lens of a young man who goes from a zero to a hero, while learning to embrace his destiny. We see the layers of civilizations in the vista but the characters are modern, with a Western formulaic approach to how the story develops. The characters are well explained, the plot is fast paced, and the theme explores life's many forms of dualities - good vs evil, will vs destiny, love vs responsibility. Stellar local cast, and we see Cagatay, Hazar and others showcase why Turkey's entertainment industry is one of the most thriving in the world. Well done, Netflix.
Hadi Be Oglum (2018)
Sacred bond between Father & Son - lovely movie
Hadi Be Oglum is the Turkish superstar Kivanc Tatlitug's much anticipated feature film since his last award-winning installation in 2013, The Butterfly's Dream. Known for his complete transformation for a role, primarily in Turkish TV dramas, we have seen him go from a prison-hardened street fighter (Kuzey Guney) to a suave man with a mysterious past (Cesur ve Guzel) to a scrawny, tuberculosis ridden poet in The Butterfly's Dream. With several other noteworthy characters in between, and regardless of the script, Kivanc never fails to impress with his versatility and his full-body acting.
Hadi Be Oglum is a simple, heartfelt story about a young, single father looking to connect with his special needs child from a one night stand. With breathtaking cinematography and a soulful soundtrack as the backdrop, Kivanc as Ali, a fisherman in a small village in Turkey, adopts all the mannerisms of a hopeful, doting, hard-working father whose purpose in life is to be able to reach his son. His range of emotions as he tries to find meaning in his son's silence is tear-jerking and beautiful. As the story unfolds with the small set of characters, it is hard not to fall in love with them. Father and son shares an eternal bond, as Ali shows through his relationship with his own father, and then his son.
There are not many surprises in the storyline, but it is poignantly put together. For Kivanc lovers, it's a must watch as we see him go from strength to strength. For those of you who don't know him, it's high time that you did. You won't regret it!