Enciclopedia de Estambul

The cultural revelations, struggles, depth of message is why I give this series a high rating. That said, several times in the earlier episodes I almost quit watching / almost blocked it; The level of anger, rage, yelling in the earlier episodes by many many of the characters was not well done. That said: Something of great value kept me viewing. I glad I stuck it out. Had it not been on Netflix where I could fast forward past the abusive personalities/ characters, which so many of them are, I'm not sure I would have made it to the excellent experience of what is definitely a series that expanded my understanding of the inner turmoil and choices of Muslim women and the hijab, as well as the nearly set in stone negative projections they have on each other within their culture. This series opens doors of pondering wtihin myself no doubt for many weeks, maybe years forward. I'm willing to consider that what I frame as unnecessary yelling and abuse between characters, I don't know, might be the behind closed doors norm of that country/ culture. TV series and Movies are an exaggeration, so I'm concerned that if I"m drawing this reflexive conclusion, others might also reflexively frame it this way as well. Therefore I continue to undo that reflesive frame, remind myself that it's only one screenwriter's norm or story, and that other TV series / movies as well depend on the adrenalin component of yelling and abuse to keep interest. Kudos to Netflix for including so many international options to view.

Were well played by all actors. Interesting plot about coming snd leaving places. This film is about finding your identity in a new place surrounded by new people, making new friends and how to get to know a big city. It is also about Cultural and religious clashes about growing up and about letting go of people you love. It taked up serous topics like how our past affects us and how we all are full of judgement. If you are looking for a film with scenic Istanbul views, this might not be a film for you. This film is about conflicts in life, the thing that makes a person grow and how problems never leave.

This isn't a film that tells you what to feel-it gently asks you to remember. Not a plot-driven narrative, but more like wandering through an old photo album left out in the sun. Faded, tender, real.

The camera lingers on streets that don't speak, yet say everything. It listens to walls, to dust, to the silence of forgotten corners. You begin to realize: this isn't just about a city-it's about time. Memory. Absence.

There's no urgency. No drama. Just quiet. And in that quiet, you hear something you didn't know you'd been missing.

It left me still. Like I'd just walked out of somewhere sacred. I didn't feel nostalgia-I felt mourning. Not only for what's gone, but for what we stopped noticing. A soft ache. A gentle reminder that even cities have souls... and sometimes, they need to be heard.

This movie is not really about Istanbul per say, except as a metaphor, as many big cities are, for escaping to the masses.

Meaning away from the fishbowl of where you came from, and the limiting borders of your previous existence, and to the generic mass of humanity, where you either lose yourself or find yourself. Or possibly both.

The premise is interesting, if not fully fleshed out. Students of architecture are asked to share the impact the city has had on them.

Our two leads, both female, have come to the city from a smaller city many hours away. One came a long time ago, and one just recently. You see the before and after effects. The seasoned, hardened mature woman, and the fresh-faced acolyte.

You never see any of the students sketching things. Yet you would think that architecture majors would be constantly drafting. There is very little discussion about buildings or urban planning.

But there is plenty of narration about the neighborhoods of the city as experienced by the young lead. The mature woman is done with this city and the country. That's an important part of the story.

The combined forces of a complex and perhaps suffocating culture, and her personal baggage have beat her down.

There is no action in this movie whatsoever, nor sex. It is strictly discussions, arguments, crying, and philosophical observations.

The main characters feel torn between obligation, and the yearning to be free. People who make movies are generally liberal and sometimes free spirits.

So don't be surprised that this film presents traditional religion as burdensome to women. Some may find it offensive. There is some graphic symbolization.

Casting was impressive. The mature lead has a gravitas about her that draws you in. The young one is radiant.

The cinematography is excellent. There are interesting shots of the city and creative angles.

But be ready for potential boredom too. Because there is an enormous amount of talking, shots of people listening or thinking, and crying.

Turkey is an ancient place. Let's hear more about what exactly plagues the city and country, that is driving out one lead and baffling the other.

This isn't a film in the traditional sense-it's a quiet act of remembrance. It watches, listens, breathes with the city. There's no plot, no characters to follow. Just fragments. Sounds. Echoes. The poetry of a place slowly forgetting itself.

Every shot lingers like a memory you didn't know you missed. Walls speak in chipped paint. Cobblestones remember footsteps long gone. It feels like flipping through an old family album where no one names the faces, but you feel their presence just the same.

There's a strange peace in its stillness. A sadness, too-but not heavy. Just honest. Gentle.

When it ended, I didn't feel like I had watched something. I felt like I had visited someone. A friend who's grown old, who didn't ask for attention-just a little time. And I was glad I gave it.