In the final month of 2019, the first Coronavirus case was recorded in Wuhan, China. The pandemic has since spread nearly all over the world in just a few months, with the first case in Turkey detected in early March. Some measures were made in order to slow down the spread of the pandemic, including regular lockdowns, and regulations to encourage social distancing. Thankfully, steps are being taken towards a new normal in Turkey, but as we continue to stay in with some frequency, we likely have felt bored and stressed during this time. Our homes have become our offices. The social lives of many of us have slowed considerably. Social isolation with a lack of social interaction and face-to-face relations have even caused issues such as anxiety. Listening to music, exercising, writing, cooking, painting, and watching movies are among the activities we have pursued during our newfound personal time. In my opinion, movies play important roles in empowering our intellectual capacity and contributing to our mental well-being, besides filling our “free” time.
Here, I’ve tried to compile some of my favorite Turkish drama movies I enjoyed watching during my days of lockdown:
Unutursam Fısılda (Whisper if I Forget)
This film was directed by the renowned director Çağan Irmak and released in 2014. The film is based on the life story of Ayperi, a singer. Hatice (played by Farah Zeynep Abdullah) is a young girl in love with singing. She lives in a small town with her parents and sister Hanife. Hatice escapes to Istanbul with the son of the district governor, Tarık (played by Mehmet Günsür). They both adore music and in the course of time Hatice becomes a very popular singer. Ayperi (played by Hümeyra) gets diagnosed with dementia and comes back to her town. Meanwhile, Hatice’s sister has vengeful feelings towards Hatice because she also used to love Tarık years ago.
Aşk Tesadüfleri Sever (Love likes Coincidences)
The film Aşk Tesadüfleri Sever is a love story directed by Ömer Faruk Sorak. It was released in 2011. Özgür, a famous photographer, and Deniz, a theatre actress, who both used to live in the same town in Ankara during their childhood come across each other in Istanbul after many years. They find themselves in love there. You can enjoy watching Turkey in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s with flashback scenes in this film.
Babam ve Oğlum (My Father and my Son)
The film Babam ve Oğlum was directed by Çağan Irmak and released in 2005. If you like drama films garnished with family bonds this movie is 100 percent fit for you. Also, the soundtrack of the film is fascinating as well. The film tells the story of Sadık (played by Fikret Kuşkan) whose wife dies while giving birth to their son during the 1980 military coup. When circumstance finally returns Sadık to his father’s farm home, Sadık and his eight year-old son start a brand new life. However, Sadık’s father does not hold peaceful feelings for his son.
Bizi Hatırla (Remember Us)
This film was directed by Çağan Irmak and released in 2018. The film is based on the story of a man, Kaan, who is trying to rebuild his relationship with his father after his father (played by Altan Erkekli) becomes sick and is brought to Istanbul by his son. Kaan is a very hardworking man and gets successful in the TV sector as a promising TV manager. After his father Eşref becomes sick, Kaan gets into an internal showdown with himself.
Ayla
Ayla is based on a true life story. This film as a joint production of Turkey and South Korea was released in 2017. After the outbreak of the Korean War, the Turkish government decided to send troops to Korea. Sergeant Süleyman is one of the soldiers sent to the war. Süleyman finds a little girl amid the war. Süleyman names the girl Ayla and takes care of Ayla for 15 months. After the war, Ayla and Süleyman drift apart, but you’ll have to watch the film to see if they ever meet again.
Müslüm
The film Müslüm is based on real life story of Arabesk singer Müslüm Gürses who passed away in 2013. The film first released in October 2018 tells the tragic life of Müslüm Gürses in a riveting way.
Annem (My Mother)
My mother was released in 2019. Nazlı is a girl who feels ashamed of her family and mother. On the contrary, Nazlı’s mother (played by Sumru Yavrucuk) is ready to do anything for her daughter. After being successful in university entrance exams Nazlı goes to Istanbul and then gets married there. One day she decides to move back to the village near to her mother.
Bizim Için Şampiyon (Champion for Us)
This film tells the real story of the love between Halis Karataş and Begüm Atman. The legendary race horse Bold Pilot not only becomes champion in all the races, but also sparks a romance. The jockey of Bold Pilot Halis Karataş falls in love with the daughter of the Chair of Turkey Jockey Club Özdemir Atman. Begüm Atman gets diagnosed with cancer and then a big struggle begins.
Do you have any other recommendations for Turkish dramas? Please let us know in the comments.
