Muhsin Bey

Muhsin Bey can be seen as a social mirror which tragicomically reflects the transformation of Turkey during the 1980s. The film, describing the interaction between Muhsin Kanadıkırık and Ali Nazik, is structured around a clash of various life approaches. Muhsin Kanadıkırık has reached the autumn of life, whose principles have not allowed him to achieve much success, an upright music manager, a lover of traditional Turkish music. Ali Nazik is a youth from Urfa with a promising voice. The director focuses on inter-cultural conflict rather than inter-cultural dialogue, following the patterns of both old and modern Turkish cinema. Friendships, betrayal, love and unexpected events flow by as one would expect in a typical Turkish film, but the film also brings a new, more original narrative. The leading actors are the experienced Şener Şen and the young Uğur Yücel, who never seems to struggle against the powerful presence of his older co-star. With their unforgettable performances, and the film’s analysis of the winners and losers in society, Muhsin Bey wins its reputation as an affecting emotional-nostalgic comedy. It should be emphasized that Ali Nazik, who chooses the easy path to becoming famous fast, is the one Yavuz Turgul defines as the “loser”. The film assumes a documentary-like quality in its realistic treatment of the life of the historical Beyoğlu quarter, with its alleys, music halls, and talent competitions.  In this way, the film is a prime example of a succesful depiction of the relationship between the characters and their environment. Muhsin Bey is like a traditional song... about Beyoğlu, the music industry, ingratitude and conscience.