Reviews
Avrupa Yakasi (2004)
Traditional ambitions in modern life
"Avrupa Yakasi" means "European Side", which refers to the common usage of west side of Istanbul, since the big metropolis is divided into two by the Istanbul Strait, while eastern part is called "Anatolian Side".
However in this funny sitcom by ATV, "Avrupa Yakasi" is the name of a Fashion & Style Magazine, which the main characters work for. The office of the magazine and almost all of the characters live in "Nisantasi", located in the European side of Istanbul. It is an important detail for this TV series, because "Nisantasi" is presented as the home town of "high society" in Istanbul.
Since the story is about the high society or the "White Turks", who are educated and successful in their career, but also funny and romantic, sometimes feels like the characters are taken from similar American productions like "Sex and the City", "Ally McBeal" etc.
Maybe for balancing these characters with Turkish reality or because of Istanbul, which is a melting pot, a city of great contrast, we have some completely contrary characters somehow found them in "Nisantasi". This opposition creates ridiculous atmosphere and many possibilities for funny rivalry between sides.
Since the story is usually established on the colorful life of high society that we can describe them as "European Side"; watchers also surprised and amused by the opposite characters that can be described as the "Anatolian Side", sometimes because of their naive and unexpected behaviors, and sometimes because of very smart but short term solutions that they found to problems.
"Avrupa Yakasi" is one of the most successful TV series of last year. Almost every character has created own fans. However "Gulse Birsel" who is the leading actress and also the writer of the script, and "Ata Demirer" who is a former comedian, made "Avrupa Yakasi" a phenomenon and created the major difference among other Turkish sitcoms.
Kurtlar Vadisi (2003)
The "so called" truths about state and mafia relation
"Kurtlar Vadisi" - "Valley of the Wolves" was the most spectacular TV series production of 2004 in Turkish telly, by Show TV.
It is about a giant mafia organization and a secret agent who's actual face changed by operation, probably inspired from the movie Face/Off(1997). Since the producers claim that the story contains mafia government relations and unspeakable truths, with strange incidents and extreme characters, this scenario is far away from reality.
In the "Valley of the Wolves" we face with a Turkish mafia group that is strongly established with a hierarchy that starts at bloody streets and ends up at the effective "Council", the brain of mafia organization. While the "Council" is working to takeover the control of the country and region, on the other hand, another secret organization tries to protect the country and regime.
Ali Candan, a special secret agent has an operation to become Polat Alemdar, who joined the mafia group with his new face and new identity. As "Can" Polat rises in the mafia organization, the story gets more complex and exciting.
Beside the great soundtrack, "Kurtlar Vadisi" draws attention with interesting characters, funny quotes, events, flashbacks and some comments about the important events happening in Turkey and across the world.