Semum

This is the first film from Turkey I've ever watched. I'm not familiar with the language, the film scene or Turkish life. But as a Muslim from South-East Asia with a culture heavily embedded with mystical elements, I'm very familiar with the premise of the story. I'd have to applaud the director's vision to bring the supernatural (excuse the lack of a better term) element in Islam to the audience.

However...

There are things that should be left unsaid or unseen. The film tries to hard to shove everything down the audience's collective throats. More CGIs doesn't always produce better end product. There are lots of scary moments in this film that send chills down your spine, but it always cuts off with unnecessary CGI. Why spoil a movie with bad CGI when you can substitute it with a continuous sense of threat that looms in the background. People fear more of things they can't see. That's why scary stories are scarier than a movie. When you can't see the threat, you start imagining things, and that's when you convinced yourself that the fear is bigger than what the film can show.

This film could have been much more. Poor execution, loose plot, sloppy editings ... these are some of the major flaws of the film.

All about Exorcism !!

I have seen this movie recently and I have seen the movies like this earlier. It has 80 percent resemblance of Exorcist. The movie is a bit lengthy but used visual graphics well. I think acting by the lead role is not up to the mark but yet this the best Turkish horror.

I felt that there are some areas(scenes) that should have been more realistic. Well, this is connected to Islamic exorcism. I felt boring at sometimes and pretty much predictable. First half an hour was good. Some scenes are not scary and I felt unnecessary.

However, I recommend the horror flicks lovers can watch for one time.

I watched it with my Turkish friends. I liked this movie as a mystery movie, riddled with the culture of the Arabian nights. The script is solid,the atmosphere seems right but sadly it has also been affected by the usual under-budgeting and much unoriginality. but no problem, I will recommend this movie to everyone. Nice special effects,a nice exorcism story and nice twist.

I would also have to comment the outstanding sound and film editing of this film. It's apparently excellent.

and I think acting was very good from all the cast members. "Semum" is an enjoyable Turkish horror movie.

I loved it.It's the good mix of modernity and Islamic horror components! When I watch on the big screen The story of 'The Exorcist' has been my favorite for a very long time. And now firstly this movie is not the adaptation of the Exorcist.The storyline of Semum is very different,It has special,pure and sentimental moments.Some CGI Works and camera angles are very captivating.

I think sooner or later the International horror festivals will discover this small budget Turkish horror movie.

The twist of movie is very very simple but never you can not understand about it. It's not truly an unique movie to watch but its a clear and a good film, well directed and written, with some powerful images and acting. In short this will be a cult film, a must see for all horror fans. So just go watch it!

I have seen this movie on DVD with English subtitle.This is very amazing horror film from Asian country Turkey! Islam literature is very rich about mystical and other dimension worlds.Especially Jinns;'In Arabian and Muslim folklore jinns are ugly and evil demons having supernatural powers which they can bestow on persons having powers to call them up. In the Western world they are called genies.

In the Old Testament King Solomon had a ring, probably a diamond, with which he called up jinns to help his armies in battle. The concept that this king employed the help of jinns probably originated from 1 Kings 6:7, "And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought there, so there was neither hammer nor axe nor and tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building." In Islam, jinns are fiery spirits (Qur'an 35. 15) particularly associated with the desert. While they are disruptive of human life, they are considered worthy of being saved. A person dying in a state of great sin may be changed into a jinni in the period of a barzakh, separation or barrier.

The highest of the jinns is Iblis, formerly called Azazel, the prince of darkness, or the Devil. The jinns were thought by some to be spirits that are lower than angels because they are made of fire and are not immortal. They can take on human and animal shapes to influence men to do good or evil. They are quick to punish those indebted to them who do not follow their many rules'.

In this movie there is a perfect interpretation of Jinns! Especially the commentary of 'Semum' is really very valuable,I mean if you wonder the meaning of Semum Just watch this film and say what you want to say It's just better than Ringu,the messengers,The exorcist,The Ring,Shutter and any Asian horror film that i have seen all.

Overall 9/10