Metin Akpınar and Zeki Alasya roast gentrification before it had a name.
As they say, dreams are worth the world. This is such a journey, back to the days of old Istanbul and the heart of Istanbul, Beyoğlu, a journey back in time. The humorous story of Beyoğlu, from the beauty that brings a smile to your face with clean memories and nostalgic dreams to the decadence of today's arabesque.
Acting
Akpınar and Alasya's tragicomic timing—Turkey's Lemmon and Matthau.
Direction
Durusan captures Beyoğlu's soul before the boutique hotels arrived.
Writing
Satire sharp enough to cut through decades of urban development.
Director
Namik Durusan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'arabesque' referenced isn't music style alone—it's code for rural-to-urban migration and the cultural clash that transformed Istanbul's European face.
Many exterior shots were filmed just before major 1980s demolitions; the film accidentally became documentary.
TR
