Safar Barlek

First of all, I am making this review as a cinephile who is an expert on the history of the Middle East. I tried to complete all the episodes by trying my patience, but I must admit that I had a very difficult time!

Although cinematographically exaggerated, a certain effort was made.

Apart from that, especially the character of Fahreddin Pasha is constructed as an antihero who does not fit the reality at all, very remote from being even close to objectivity and is completely in line with the current political indoctrination of the country.

Although I don't have any experience in that, I'm sure similar dramas can be found in North Korean movie industry.

The Ottoman Empire's rule over Saudi Arabia began in 1517 with the conquest of Egypt by Yavuz Sultan Selim and lasted until the early 20th century. During this time, Ottoman rule brought about various innovations and changes in Saudi Arabia. Here are some of the important headings: 1. Centralized Administration and Administrative Structure:

The Ottomans established a centralized administrative structure by dividing the different regions of Saudi Arabia into provinces and sanjaks. The Hejaz Region included the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and had a special status.

Local administrators in the region were appointed by the Ottoman sultan, but local tribal leaders and religious authorities also had significant influence.

2. Infrastructure and Transportation:

The Ottomans developed the transportation infrastructure in the region, especially with the Hejaz railway project. The Hejaz Railway, completed in 1908, extended from Damascus to Mecca and facilitated the Hajj journey.

In addition, various projects were carried out to maintain and expand the holy places in Mecca and Medina.

3. Religious and Cultural Protection:

The Ottoman administration undertook the task of protecting and developing the holy places of Islam. Importance was given to the construction of mosques and madrasahs in cities such as Mecca and Medina.

In addition, various measures were taken to ensure that the Hajj ritual was carried out regularly and safely.

4. Trade and Economy:

The Ottomans encouraged trade in Saudi Arabia and controlled trade routes using the region's strategic location on the Red Sea.

Visitors arriving during the Hajj period increased the economic vitality of the region.

5. Security and Public Order:

The Ottomans maintained military units to prevent conflicts between local tribes and to ensure the general security of the region.

In addition, the security of the Hajj routes was of great importance and various measures were taken for this purpose.

These innovations and the influence of the Ottoman administration played an important role in the historical development of Saudi Arabia. However, the Ottomans generally allowed local traditions and structures to continue, respecting the unique socio-cultural dynamics of the region.

Historical documents and sources confirm that Fahrettin Pasha and the Ottoman soldiers under his command put up a great resistance to defend the holy lands against the British and their supporters. While the series "Safar Berlik" addresses the events in the Hejaz region during the late period of the Ottoman Empire, the distortion of these historical events to emphasize Arab nationalism and portray all Arab Muslims as being against the Ottomans is far from historical accuracy. On the contrary, many Arab Muslims, especially the people of Medina and its surroundings, resisted the British alongside the Ottoman army. The presentation of such a narrative in the series creates a misleading perception of history among viewers and oversimplifies the complex historical dynamics of the region. It is common for dramatic productions to approach historical events from a single perspective, but it is important for viewers to research historical facts and seek information from various sources to recognize such distortions.

This series shows a blatant disregard for historical accuracy, aiming to distort the past and tarnish the reputation of historical figures. A striking example of this is the incorrect use of Turkish flags from the Republic era, placed in an entirely irrelevant context. Such a mistake underscores the shallowness of the production. By misrepresenting history and deceiving the audience, the series not only disrespects our cultural heritage but also insults the intelligence of its viewers. For these reasons, I believe this series is fundamentally flawed and misleading. Given that our soldiers were clearly working to protect the local population, scenes depicting them attacking civilians with cannons are utterly unacceptable. I consider this to be the worst series I have ever watched.

The series "Safar Barlek" (2023) did not meet my expectations. First of all, the script lacked depth and was full of clichés. The storyline was extremely predictable, and the characters were flat and uninteresting. The direction followed an ordinary line rather than offering creative solutions that would increase the impact of scenes and dialogues. The acting performances, unfortunately, could not rise above mediocrity; most of the actors could not bring enough credibility to their roles. The tempo problems were also noticeable throughout the series, many scenes were unnecessarily extended and progressed at a slow pace that could bore the viewer. In general, "Safar Barlek" is unfortunately not a production worth watching. This series will be a big disappointment for viewers looking for deep storytelling or strong character development. It also has little to do with history... a movie that reeks of racism...