🇹🇷 ETHOS 🇹🇷
Ethos aka Bir Başkadır (2020) is a Turkish miniseries on Netflix internationally. 8 x 40-58 min episodes. In Turkish, Arabic and Kurdish with subtitles and available with dubbing.
Premise:
A group of unique characters from dramatically different socio-cultural backgrounds meeting in startling circumstances in the vibrant and colourful city of Istanbul, – some by chance and some by force of will.
Cast:
Öykü Karayel as Meryem
Fatih Artman as Yasin
Funda Eryigit as Ruhiye
Defne Kayalar as Peri
Settar Anriögen as Ali Sadi Hoca
Tülin Özen as Güllbin
Bige Önal as Hayrunnisa
Göktug Yildirim as Ismail
Gokhan Yikilkan as Hilmi
Alican Yücesoy as Sinan
Bite-Sized Review:
Ethos has very much the feel of an extended arthouse film. It is a slow burn story which comes over as realistic and yet also symbolic and philosophical. The focus is on the everyday lives of these characters, their thoughts and the small tragedies and other events that befall them. Much, but not all, is centred upon the female characters, most especially Meryem.
The cinematography is fantastic with many frames beautifully composed like paintings. I do not think you will see much better direction and camerawork than in this.
There is a great use of stillness and silence offset against very dialogue-heavy scenes and sudden explosions of movement. There are gradual reveals of previous events some of which are very affecting. Amazing writing, especially of the characters themselves. Very occasionally connections do seem just a little “forced”.
The unusual use of old music/singing clips etc. at the end of each episode must resound more with a Turkish audience but I still enjoyed them. The music score itself gives a distinctly 1980s vibe.
Ethos is an emotionally affecting piece of TV with some astonishingly good performances. The monologues, dialogues and scenes where nothing (or barely anything) is said at all are mesmerising. Outstanding performances from all the players but, for me, especially Öykü Karayel and Alican Yücesoy.
This is a visually stunning, intelligent and thought-provoking show with universal themes. Sheer quality throughout. I am highly likely to watch Ethos again. It is a show that requires patience as it is slow and has “real life” pacing.
Reel2ReelTalk rating (max 5 ⭐️)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Trailer (dubbed):
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Insightful and interesting review – thank you. I thought you might like to read mine https://marieconnollybooks.com/Blog/2021/01/01/ethos/
I very much enjoyed reading your insightful and detailed review of Ethos. This show achieves so much in just 8 episodes.