Kübra

Once in a while Netflix comes up with brilliant outliers. Kubra is a great example.

At first, it feels like a story of a religion (or a cult) in the making, with a Muslim Jesus-like (both visually and mindset-wise) figure facing predictable leadership challenges, corrupt politicians, and dealing with his family.

In the last chapter (of season 1), the twist turns the story upside down (not revealing what it is, although some other reviews did...), setting up the scene for a very different season 2.

There is a lot to like. The characters, the acting (and the actors themselves), the exploration of spirituality from the 21st century Turkish perspective. As someone who knows next to nothing about Turkey, I found it to be educational while still accessible enough not to overshadow the story with cultural differences. In the last chapter, the professional terms and concepts are amazingly spot on. Sadly, the Hodja character (a priest with what sounds like a degree in psychology) is underexplored.

I deducted one point for the Netflix's insistence on specific running time. The bullet subplot felt redundant and forced with the motivation of the rioters vague and unclear. It's like it was added just to make the season last for 8 chapters. It made the series feel a bit stretched. But at least Netflix didn't cancel it, like they do with other brilliant outliers (The OA, 1899, etc.).

Kubra is that series that makes you think about everything that is really important in life. The values, such as compassion, help, family, love of fellow human beings, all of these are played with real mastery by the actors of the series. Cagatay Ulusoy masterfully creates the role of Gökhan, a simple man, loved by the community, but at the same time different, who seeks answers to the questions related to his role on earth. Through this role, he wants to spread among the community the idea that God is in everything, in every situation, and nothing is accidental. Cagatay managed to transform himself once again, to form a character different from the others he played. I am proud of what I create.

Kubra comes with a message for all humanity, a message that can be assimilated by everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, country. Universal values such as truth, love, brotherhood, joy, happiness, compassion, generosity are the same for all people on earth. The duality existing in everything makes us choose between faith and doubt, between love and hate, between light and darkness, between balance and chaos. We need faith, without which we are lost in the whirlwind of the world. Kubra is a successful serial in terms of script, direction, acting. Cagatay Ulusoy disturbs us, by the way he animates Gokhan, so deeply, convincingly, to the point of identification with him. I liked Kubra, it impressed me, it surprised me with that last episode, the key to the series, artificial intelligence, who and how will use it, this is the question of the moment. My recommendation is addressed to those who follow a series with their eyes, heart and mind. Don't miss Kubra.

As someone who can both relate to the culture and the religion displayed in the series, until the end, I was only watching hoping that the ending would be in a similar fashion. Kubra is a series that display simply mankind. All though some part were quite corny and hard to watch, the message that is delivered is the status quo of the country it is based out of. It depicts the balance of power, social and economic realities, political Islam and the tension within the nation that could be ignited with a single match. All though it seems far-fetched from reality, it is closer than it seems. The dystopian and fiction aside, with certain twists to the plot, it has the potential to be real, because it did in the past and the original author was most likely influenced and referrenced it.

I watched the Kubra series with a lot of excitement ,thanks to the fantastic performante of the actor Cagatay Ulusoy who penciled the caracter of Gokhan .Truly ,the series is for people who try to see beyond the screen ,the depth of the soul and the inner struggles watching the series we inevitably have questions to wich we want an answer ar fair and balanced as possible related to our belonging on this earth , to the unwritten laws of nature ,to our journey in this life .If all had at least half of Gokhan caracter ,surely the world would be better and the violece would disappear .I wholeheartedly recommend this series ! Deserve!