It has been 13 years for the reason that “Aşk-ı Memnu” sequence, which stirred up storms in Turkish tv between 2008 and 2010, captivated followers by airing its ultimate, tragic episode. Even after extra a decade, the re-run broadcast each summer time nonetheless surpasses the viewership scores of present exhibits.
Now, the sequence is being tailored into a movie with a brand new perspective, specializing in the protagonist, Bither, bearing the identical identify because the film.
The groundbreaking made-for-TV manufacturing is already categorized as what we name a “cult classic.” When it aired, all the pieces from equipment worn within the sequence to clothes grew to become iconic. Even these unfamiliar with the e book the variation is predicated on grew to become accustomed to it. It absolutely had its place in Turkish widespread tradition too.
So, what makes this work so indispensable, resulting in the creation of quite a few different works, and nonetheless related even 13 years later?
Uşaklıgil’s strong floor
In the Servet-i Fünun literary motion of Turkish literature, the place Turkish literature took on a distinctly European nature by way of mindset, themes and even strategies, Halid Ziya Uşaklıgil’s “Aşk-ı Memnu” is taken into account the primary main Turkish novel. This literary motion coincided with the reign of Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II, and the publication date of the novel offers important insights into the spirit of that period. Throughout the narrative, Uşaklıgil skillfully and realistically displays all the pieces he noticed in his society. His profound exploration of gender roles, the interior worlds of characters, and the creation of “real” novel characters basically elevate the work to a masterpiece by itself.
Although Uşaklıgil usually employs dense language in his novels, which may probably hinder readability, the plot is so compelling that it doesn’t permit the barrier of language to detach you from the story. In truth, Uşaklıgil mentions this within the preface of the e book. He emphasizes the significance of not simplifying variations, noting that the sentence constructions stay precisely the identical. He laments that future generations would possibly embark on a life with out realizing their very own language attributable to confusion stemming from Turkish spelling throughout that period. Nevertheless, from the very first web page, the e book demonstrates its fluency.
Moreover, because the title suggests with its translation as “Forbidden Love,” the novel revolves across the forbidden love of a younger lady named Bihter. The headline undoubtedly contributes to creating the novel intriguing. Uşaklıgil’s mastery lies in his profound depiction of the construction of the excessive society of the late nineteenth century, and the conflicts characters expertise each amongst themselves and internally, which he constructs fairly convincingly.
“Aşk-ı Memnu” essentially addresses points which might be nonetheless, and doubtless will proceed to be, prevalent in lots of societies. One of those points is problematic marriage as a result of age distinction between spouses similar to Bihter marrying Adnan Bey, who’s considerably older than her, whereas Nihal psychologically struggles as Adnan Bey’s daughter. Another theme is the belief that materials wealth alone doesn’t assure happiness as Bihter’s initiation of a love affair with Adnan Bey’s nephew Behlül involves the floor, and the ensuing tragic conditions arising from the conflict of expectations and actuality are all explored within the novel.
The household Bihter is part of the recognized “Melih Bey lineage,” consisting of the late Melih Bey’s two daughters Bihter and Peyker, and his roving-eyed spouse Firdevs, missing robust the Aristocracy. Yet their most vital attribute, after their penchant for leisure, is their trend sense. They are well-known in Istanbul’s world of delight and leisure. Everyone is aware of them, and they’re trendsetters. Their boat is most frequently adopted on the moonlit nights of the Bosporus. People steadily stand in entrance of their mansion, rigorously peeking by means of the home windows, being attentive to a piano melody or a few elegant silhouettes glimpsed behind the curtains. They stand out in all places. However, in accordance with Uşaklıgil’s narration, every considered one of them is having their very own private struggles in life, particularly the adverse label that comes together with Firdevs.
On the opposite hand, Bihter’s mom, Firdevs Hanım, sees her kids as rivals and is devoid of maternal emotions, consumed by her efforts to seem distinct. This inside wrestle continually plagues her all through the novel.
Nihal, then again, battles with a relentless feeling of disconnect from her father, and paired with Behlül’s want to cleanse his sin of being concerned with Bihter by marrying Nihal, provides to the intricate internet of occasions, serving as a counterpart to Bihter’s character growth.
Adnan’s daughter Nihal and his new younger spouse Bihter share related character traits as each are hungry for love. Even after marrying Adnan Bey, Bihter can not discover happiness as a result of she is emotionally unhappy. After falling in love with Behlül, she seeks his full devotion, however Behlül, along with his Don Juan character traits, distances himself when he turns into tired of the connection, as normally flirts from one lady to a different.
TV sequence adaptation
The sequence with its exceptionally excellent solid, together with names similar to Selçuk Yöntem, Nebahat Çehre, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ and Beren Saat, managed to show itself right into a memorable manufacturing, taking Uşaklıgil’s work to a distinct dimension.
Every 12 months, on the anniversary of the ultimate episode the place Bihter’s demise is portrayed, there are social media occasions like “mevlüt” (Islamic memorial service) occasions and symbolic choices of meals in her identify. There are even legends concerning the evening of the ultimate episode, claiming that the streets had been unusually quiet and all the nation was glued to the display screen.
Also, due to the sequence, the well-known mansion of the Ziyagil household used because the setting obtained tens of hundreds of tourists for years and it nonetheless welcomes individuals who wish to vivify their reminiscences of the present. While the mansion in Sarıyer presently hosts a carpet exhibition, everybody who sees it from the skin experiences unhappy nostalgia, associating it with the desolation after Bihter’s demise, because the sequence was so sensible that it blurred the strains between actuality and fiction.
Considering that the unique publication date of the e book was 1899, the TV sequence masterfully managed to modernize costumes and themes whereas retaining the connection between the 2 works, turning into one of many elements that turned the sequence right into a legend. Also, the chemistry between Beren Saat (Bither) and Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ (Behlül) was so excellent that it entranced the viewers all through the 79 episodes. At instances, likely, the viewers was so engulfed on this ardour that they nearly believed what they had been watching was actual.
As within the novel, the characters got here to face their unhappy destiny within the adaptation too. Adnan Bey’s insatiable nature led him right into a scenario the place he married a a lot youthful lady, leading to unlucky penalties.
Bihter, pushed by a want to keep away from emulating her mom, initially felt a passion for Adnan Bey attributable to her admiration for her father. Over time, her infatuation consumed her, resulting in a tragic realization of her resemblance to her mom and culminating in her personal heartbreaking demise.
From the outset, Behlül was portrayed as a reckless and flirtatious particular person. However, as a substitute of acknowledging his errors, he sought redemption by forming a relationship with Nihal.
Upon inspecting these characters and contemplating the concluding episode of the sequence, it turns into evident that none of them obtain happiness. Instead, their particular person tales conclude with sorrowful outcomes, emphasizing on the themes of obsession, manipulation and the detrimental pursuit of self-interest on the expense of others.
Now, all eyes are turned towards the movie adaptation. From the shared photos, evidently the cinematic model can be extra devoted to the unique novel and can seize the interval precisely. However, will it handle to recreate the great environment that the sequence established? I consider not. Sometimes, it’s essential to depart sure issues of their most lovely state.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
