Kuyucaklı Yusuf is a film of fate about a man who possesses volition and who hypnotically-dreamily approaches persistent violence, gross oppression and unimaginable injustice, in an overwhelming love. The film was produced in 1985 in Turkey by Turkish director Feyzi Tuna – the author of scenarios and movies. Most of the film is adapted from the popular 1937 book of the same name which was written by the author Sabahattin Ali.
Synopsis
The narrative circles around Yusuf (played by Talat Bulut) who was born in a western Turkish village named Kuyucak and grew up as an orphan. His family died at the hands of some brutal fellows, and local governors helped by taking him in with their daughter Muazzez. Later in life, when things were supposed to be happy for him as the beautiful flower Muazzez used to be there with him, over time, life made her an unattainable vision in every aspect due to barbaric discrimination which was savage with flaws.
Yusuf wants to marry Muazzez (played by Şahika Tekand), but they are sabotaged, or potential desire is tortured by discrimination, suppression, and his masters cousin whereby this man desires Muazzez for abuse due to her beauty as well as for power.
The film is expounded through Yusuf’s expression as he laments the various challenges life throws at him as he wishes justice was served in every situation and remains committed towards Muazzez even after all temptations which together bring the movie to a heartbreaking end.
Cast & Crew
- Director: Feyzi Tuna.
- Writers: Feyzi Tuna adapted the story from the work of Sabahattin Ali.
- Cast:
- Talat Bulut as Yusuf, the orphan hero.
- Şahika Tekand as Muazzez, Yusuf’s heart and sense.
- Kenan Bal as Hilmi Bey, the immoral landlord.
- Güler Ökten as Şahinde, the governor’s wife and a welcome complication in Yusuf’s love life.
Awards & Recognition
The film receives praise for its dedication in bringing to life Palestinian novelist Sabahattin Ali’s work.
- Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, 1985. Best Actor (Talat Bulut).
- For the cult of injections, which literally captured the image of the rural Anatolia.
The issues and themes outlined in the book, which are equally important now, have been the reason that the film has become a classic of ts التركية cinema.
IMDb Ratings
The movie receives a 7.2/10, which is a respectable score and many spectators loved it, particularly for its emotions and performances.
Personal Insights
The movie, ‘Kuyucaklı Yusuf’, portrays love and injustice in a melancholic way and got a brilliant screenplay by Feyzi Tuna. Talat Bulut acts out Yusuf with such unwavering quietness that it befits the way Yusuf is portrayed in the book. The movie serves the emotional aspect and sociopolitical issues of Sabahattin Ali’s works more vividly. It is the oppression faced by the poor in a cruelly differentiated society.
The visuals reinforce the story, as Christoph Becker’s focus on the Anatolian views adds to the character’s transcendentalism. Yusuf’s struggles, both internally and externally, are enhanced by the imagery of the Anatolian plains. Although the film’s pacing effectively matches the patient voice of the book, the emotional climax of the story is profoundly satisfying.
Cultural Significance
Ís through such entire canvases of literature art that the concept of sabahattin ali’s ‘kuyucaklı yusuf’ can be explored; it’s antagonism towards bourgeoisie and active engagement of the proletariat into love for fight against social suppression and violence. These notions practically do not leave other plots making their integration the only means for successing in actoeumakaeyyeh s rather specific plot.
daki film reviews these social problems of moral and ethical order facing assimila tion of turks within the recent history through the portrayal of such constructs as class structure, literary oppression, women agitation and even 20th century patriarchalism well in the context of loves fascist and classist domination.
Where to Watch
Pre-order and grab your copy from their multi-language site or facebook page and be the first among your friends to own this beautiful classic. Turkish film as an industry is not afraid to monopolize and expand its area of influence. The rise of OTT platforms in Turkey fused with a recent economic crisis resulted in weakening of conglomerations and establishment of greater competition.