Netflix: This Turkish film could be the platform’s next big hit

Among the new releases that enrich the Netflix catalog every week, we find a lot of works from all over the world, from Poland (365 Days) to South Korea (Kyongsong’s creation) via Mexico (L’Elected). Turkey is not excluded. Be it movies or TV series, the country is seeing its film industry grow significantly thanks to successes like The Tailor.

The emancipated heroine

As for the latest additions, we find Les Cendres directed by Erdem Tepegöz. The story tells the story of Gokce, the wife of a publishing director, who is bored with everyday life. When he discovers a strange manuscript, he becomes immersed in memories – real or made up, that’s the question – and finds his life falling apart. The film focuses particularly on fictophilia, a term that refers to people having sexual feelings and desires for fictional characters.

Between romantic romance and thriller, the film has all the ingredients of a future Netflix success – with a bonus of genre clichés. Les Cendres portrays the image of an independent, emancipated heroine in control of her desire. This performance is interesting because it reflects the influence of the Netflix platform – an American company with Western values ​​- on local fiction.

Representations of women in Turkish fiction

However, the situation of women in Turkey is still very fragile. It is worth noting the re-election of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May 2023 warned feminist associations who have seen their rights roll back for many years.

In this context, Turkish fiction distributed by Netflix gives another look at the country’s women through complex and diverse portraits. Series like Bir Baskadir and The Gift have already nailed it. In a way, Les Cendres is added to the list of works that intend to give way to female characters.

The Ashes is available on Netflix.