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Semum
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Wikipedia article
'Semum' is a 2008 Turkish horror film produced, written and directed by Hasan Karacada which reportedly recounts the true story of a woman who lives in zmir, Turkey.
Plot
Twenty-seven-year-old Canan (Aya nci) and her husband Volkan (Burak Hakk) have just moved into a large, new house. Life seems to continue on its routine track in the young couple's new house until one day, when Canan starts feeling that strange things are happening to her although she cannot understand what or why. Canan gradually starts turning into an evil creature as a mysterious and malicious being takes control of her body and actions day after day. Semum, the most loyal servant of the devil, has taken control of Canan, leading her towards hell.
Cast
Production
Talking about the film in 'Today's Zaman' the director argues that, "he tried to create a model of a Turco-Islamic horror film and that he would make the world recognize this model, of which he sees 'Semum' as the first example.' 'Semum' will be compared with 'The Exorcist' and star Aya nci will be compared with Linda Blair, the director told 'Today's Zaman', noting that the Turkish horror films made so far have been far from satisfactory.
Filming
The film was shot on location in Istanbul, Turkey.Release
The film opened in 142 screens across Turkey on at number 1 in the box office chart with an opening weekend gross of $441,665.
Reception
Box office
The film was the thirteenth highest grossing Turkish film of 2008 with a total gross of $1,827,047.Reviews
Todd Brown, writing for 'Twitch Film', notes that this film, like the director's previous hit 'Dabbe', "once again draws on Islamic mythology and demons as its inspiration," but that, "he had a better budget to work with this time and the cinematography is a good bit better while also indulging Turkey's traditional campy edge". "Cinematography and design work is dead solid and I do believe I detect notes of both 'Death Note' and 'Constantine' in the demon and hell effects," he adds.See also
* List of Islamic films
* 2008 in film
* Samm
* Turkish films of 2008
References
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