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.

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 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

Semum was a film that's based upon a true story.

If you watch it,definitely you will see Classic horror elements and new wave of Japanese horror styles are mixing in a very strange story! Paranoia and the oriental ambiance has never been captured like this before.

I gave it 9 of 10.Yes It's more of a weird mysteriousness and psychological movie than a run of the mill horror film.

If you want to see a real Turkish horror classic with touch of great movie 'The Exorcist(1973)'...!!!

I recommend it.

I'm a big horror-movie fanatic and I don't explain why but always I feel shame at our Turkish horror movies.But this one is really different.Director Hasan karacadag simply using eastern based horror themes,Islamic legends,nightmare stories,religion based incubus,demons and especially Holly book Koran based Jinns.These themes are include very new and fresh ideas for horror movie making.Director said that he want to make very new eastern mystical horror films for all around the world.D@bbe was first steps for him an now he made his second feature horror film 'Semum'… Semum is Incredibly Creepy and Haunting horror film.From beginning to ending you can feel paranoia, suspicion,fear of unknown and the eerie touch of demonic jinns.Slow movements of original and creepy atmosphere are very impressive.Some scenes are very dangerous and risky for seek people!The storyline is haunting and the editing is provocative.You can never understand what is going on!...The special effects are very stylish for Turkish animations and CG worlds.I really like the performance of actors and actresses.Improver exorcism scenes are awesome.If you wonder what is the different of eastern horror movie definitely you have to watch Semum!...I think this movie will be legend at all around the world! We will see