Killing the Shadows

2006 [TURKISH]

Comedy / Drama / History

8
IMDb Rating 7.5/10 10 13937 13.9K

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Plot summary

Killing The Shadows is a bawdy comic fable set in the Ottoman Empire during the mid-14th century based on two legendary figures in Turkish folkore, the jester Hacivat (Beyazit Ozturk) and the nomad Karagoz (Haluk Bilginer), men who apparently lived and died by their sense of humour.

Director

Ezel Akay Photo
Ezel Akay

Top cast

Mine Tugay Photo
Mine Tugay as Baci Asli
Haluk Bilginer Photo
Haluk Bilginer as Karagöz
Numan Acar Photo
Numan Acar as Trasci Ali
Öner Erkan Photo
Öner Erkan as Trasci tulgar
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
1.18 GB
1280*720
Turkish 2.0
NR
25 fps
2 hr 10 min
Seeds 1
2.19 GB
1920*1080
Turkish 2.0
NR
25 fps
2 hr 10 min
Seeds 2

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by ozgeyildiz 8 / 10

a different perspective on the well known "hacivat karagöz" with strong art directing

It is not surprising to read bad reviews from international press since it's telling the not-well-known background story of a folkloric "shadow game" that we all know from childhood. Giving a difference perspective on the actual characters of hacivat and karagoz, it made me think of those times and what really might have happened to them. ALso a great look to the periods diversity and how Turks become Muslims one by one. This movie is one of the best Turkish movies I've ever watched lately, it's not referring to any cheesy jokes in reference to today's audience; it's not using it's actors' and actress' well known fame and it gives you the idea that Ezel Akay had just to shot a strong period movie with excellent costumes and art directing. Spoken language in the movie is something to be considered- it sounds foreign in the beginning but then you come to recognise the words and the old sayings that were used back then; a joint of middle-Asian Turkish, arabic, roman and hebrew. The scenes were delicately worked out, reminding of the famous ottoman art pieces.One thing that I didn't like much is the not-so-convincing visual effects, but well, don't see good cgi around here, so can't blame anyone.
Reviewed by ulnoyman 9 / 10

Early maturity for Ezel Akay

"Karagoz Hacivat Neden Olduruldu" is Akay and Kazak's take of the legendary personalities Karagoz and Hacivat who are the main characters of Turkish shadow theater. Although their life stories are not known, Akay and Kazak tell a very plausible story that could easily be true. True or not, their story fits exactly what they symbolize - the synthesis of crude and sophisticated humor freely targeting dishonesty, corruption, unfairness and inequality in society.The setting is the early 14th century, when Byzantian and Seljuk Empires were in shambles following the destructive Mongolian invasion. At the Muslim/Christian borderlands, and out of the reach of the now weakening Mongolian power, the Ottoman State is at its infancy, rapidly expanding at the expense of the neighboring Byzantian and Turkish principalities. Since the cultural homogenization is not as fast as military conquests, a colorful, eclectic intermixing of cultures is underway. This is the perfect breeding ground for the elements Akay seems to take his inspirations from, and he weaves them into his story so masterfully.Ezel Akay seems to reach his maturity at a very early stage. With his second movie, he already has a signature style and an efficient formula to make the audience laugh and cry with only a snap of a finger. He has absolute emotional control over the audience, thanks to his masterful use of visuals and music.He also owes a lot to Haluk Bilginer (Karagoz), who is an acting genius. (His talents seem to include Mongolian throat singing if my ears did not deceive me). Beyazit Öztürk (Hacivat) is not as talented an actor, but he is the wisest choice for the role. Another good casting is Güven Kirac as the villain. He has such a wide acting range, he gave me the impression that he could have played almost all the roles in the movie.Like Akay's earlier movie 'Neredesin Firuze', the music is outstanding - Central Asian Turko-Mongolian tunes yet to be "contaminated" by Middle Eastern influences, beginning to clash with already eclectic Eastern Roman-Judaic melodies. The dynamic synthetic nature of the music parallels with the cultural synthesis what early Ottoman state and society building is all about.
Reviewed by mmsolak 9 / 10

what a wonderful historical and funny movie is this

Thats really magnificent movie, still i am listening movies soundtrack whenever i miss my history. I usually watch movie just once if its beautiful 2-3 th times but hacivat karagoz totally out of my league 8 or 9 times I already watched. İn the beginning I watched with my all guest you know as a Turkish people we like to go to family friends and my every guest watched this movie. Details effect me to much with a lovely soundtracks and they are really well prepared after the 3 th times you are focusing the details and every details was perfect. Movie's smells like historical taste like instructive and totally comic movie just watch...
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