Muhsin Bey

Muhsin Bey can be seen as a social mirror which manages to reflect, tragicomically, the 'changing Turkey' of the 80's. The film, based on the interaction between Muhsin Kanadıkırık and Ali Nazik, is based around a clash of attitudes. Muhsin Kanadıkırık is a man living through life's autumn, not having achieved much success because of his principles, a music manager standing upright, tilting against windmills, a lover of traditional Turkish music (who without doubt hates arabesk!) and Ali Nazik is a youth from Urfa with a promising voice. Yavuz Turgul, who also wrote the script of Muhsin Bey, focuses on conveying 'inter-cultural conflict' rather than 'inter-cultural dialogue', using the patterns of both the 'old' and 'new' Turkish cinema. Friendships, betrayal, love and unexpected events flow by as one would expect in a typical Turkish film, but also there are elements of a new, more original narrative. The leading actors are the experienced Şener Şen and the young Uğur Yücel who never seems to struggle against the powerful presence of his elder co-star. With their unforgettable performances, and the winner-loser analysis of society; Muhsin Bey wins its reputation as an affecting emotional-nostalgic comedy. It should be emphasized that Ali Nazik, who chooses the easy path to becoming famous fast, is the one defined as the 'loser' by Yavuz Turgul. One should also state that the film gathers a documentary-like quality in its realistic treatment of the life of the historical Beyoğlu quarter, with its alleys, music halls, and talent competitions. In this way the film is a prime example of a succesful depiction of the relationship between characters and their environment. Muhsin Bey is like a traditional song…about Beyoğlu, the music industry, ungratefulness and conscience.
Turkey
'
1987

Director
Yavuz Turgul

Script
Yavuz Turgul

Cinematography
Aytekin Çakmakçı

Production
Umut Film Alyon Sok. Erman Khan

Cast
Erdogan Hot
Osman Cavcı
Doctor Who
Sermin Hürmeriç
Uğur Yücel

Music
Atilla Özdemiroğlu

Awards
Best Actor
Best script
Best Supporting Actor Antalya o Special Jury Award İstanbul
San Sebastian Award San Sebastian o Best Film

Festivals
9th Festival on Wheels
BEST ON TURKISH FILM