Semum
| Semum | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Mubariz Hajimuradov |
| Produced by | Mubariz Hajimuradov |
| Written by | Mubariz Hajimuradov |
| Starring |
Bigkem Karavus Burak Özçivit Kurtulus Sakiragaoglu |
| Music by | Justin R. Durban |
| Cinematography | Seyhan Bilir |
Production company |
J-Plan |
Release dates | February 8, 2008 |
Running time | 116 min |
| Country | Turkey |
| Language | Turkish |
| Budget | $1,200,000 (estimated) |
| Box office | $1,827,047 |
Semum is a 2008 Turkish horror film produced, written and directed by Hasan Karacadağ which reportedly recounts the true story of a woman who lives in İzmir, Turkey.[1]
Plot
Twenty-seven-year-old Canan (Ayça İnci) and her husband Volkan (Burak Hakkı) have just moved into a large, new house. Life seems to continue on its routine track in the young couple's new house until one day, when Canan starts feeling that strange things are happening to her although she cannot understand what or why. Canan gradually starts turning into an evil creature as a mysterious and malicious being takes control of her body and actions day after day. Semum, the most loyal servant of the devil, has taken control of Canan, leading her toward hell.
Cast
- Ayça İnci as Canan Karaca
- Burak Hakkı as Volkan Karaca
- Cem Kurtoğlu as Mikail Hoca
- Sefa Zengin as Raci
- Bahtiyar Engin as Macit
- Nazlı Ceren Argon as Banu
- Yıldırım Öcek as Emlakçı
- Hakan Meriçliler as Profesör Oğuz
- Levent Sülün as Ali
- Süha Tok
Production
Talking about the film in Today's Zaman the director argues that, "he tried to create a model of a Turco-Islamic horror film and that he would make the world recognize this model, of which he sees Semum as the first example.[1] Semum will be compared with The Exorcist and star Ayça İnci will be compared with Linda Blair, the director told Today's Zaman, noting that the Turkish horror films made so far have been far from satisfactory.[1]
Filming
The film was shot on location in Istanbul, Turkey.[2]
Release
The film opened in 142 screens across Turkey on February 8, 2008 at number 1 in the box office chart with an opening weekend gross of $441,665.[3]
Reception
Box office
The film was the thirteenth highest grossing Turkish film of 2008 with a total gross of $1,827,047.[3]
Reviews
Todd Brown, writing for Twitch Film, notes that this film, like the director's previous hit Dabbe, once again draws on Islamic mythology and demons as its inspiration, but that, he had a better budget to work with this time and the cinematography is a good bit better while also indulging Turkey's traditional campy edge.[4] Cinematography and design work is dead solid and I do believe I detect notes of both Death Note and Constantine in the demon and hell effects, he adds.[5]
AnthroFred, writing for Slasherpool, wrote, Forgettable Exorcist rip-off which didn't do much for me. It's an okay movie but it's a bit too long and a bit too unoriginal for my taste. It's refreshing to see something different from Turkey though but I just wish that they would stop recycling others scripts and come up with some ideas of their own instead. Worth a watch if you're a fan of The Exorcist.[6]
See also
External links
- Official website for the film
- Semum at the Internet Movie Database
- Semum at the TCM Movie Database
References
- 1 2 3 Kara, Serkan. "Filmmaker Karacadağ presents Turkey’s first ‘alien’ horror flick". Today's Zaman. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
- ↑ "Filming locations for Semum". IMDB. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
- 1 2 "Turkey Weekend Box Office for Semum". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
- ↑ Brown, Todd. "D@bbe Director Returns With Semum!". twitch. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
- ↑ Brown, Todd. "Full Theatrical Trailer For Turkish Horror Semum!". twitch. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
- ↑ AnthroFred. "Semum". Slasherpool. Archived from the original on November 11, 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-18.