Semum

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]

Semum
Theatrical poster
Directed byHasan Karacadağ
Produced byHasan Karacadağ
Written byHasan Karacadağ
StarringBigkem Karavus
Burak Özçivit
Kurtulus Sakiragaoglu
Music byJustin R. Durban
CinematographySeyhan Bilir
Production
company
J-Plan
Release date
February 8, 2008 (2008-02-08)
Running time
116 min
CountryTurkey
LanguageTurkish
Budget$1,200,000 (estimated)
Box office$1,827,047

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 (2008-02-08) 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]

See also

References
  1. Kara, Serkan. "Filmmaker Karacadağ presents Turkey's first 'alien' horror flick". Today's Zaman. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
  2. "Filming locations for Semum". IMDB. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
  3. "Turkey Weekend Box Office for Semum". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
  4. Brown, Todd. "D@bbe Director Returns With Semum!". twitch. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
  5. Brown, Todd. "Full Theatrical Trailer For Turkish Horror Semum!". twitch. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
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