Kara Para Ask- Turkish delight

My knowledge of Turkish cinema and television series was next to zilch when I stumbled upon Black Money Love or Kara Para Ask. My little idea of Turkish life was restricted to my reading of Orhan Pamuk’s The Museum of Innocence and that literally was my window to a different world, a modern and affluent Istanbul. What I still remember about this book, is the sheer passion of its love story that makes it palpable, moving to a point that it becomes eternal. That same intensity is found in Kara Para Ask that starts off as an unlikely match between Ömer Demir, a cop investigating his fiancé’s death and Elif seeking answers to her father’s murder, when both victims are found shot dead together in a car. The story at a lengthy 164 episode count takes its time unravelling its convoluted plot, which often seems incredible but always riveting. The television series beats your average daily soap owing to a fantastic lead pair- Tuba Büyüküstün and Engin Akyürek live and breathe in to their characters, propelled by the force of an equally powerful supporting cast. This is not your typical whodunnit story, we already have recognised the main antagonist in the early few episodes. Everything else is however, overshadowed by the weight of the turbulent love story, which takes on epic proportions drawing from class conflicts, individual perceptions, the European lifestyle vs traditional ties, family feuds, widespread corruption, devious crimes, endless deceit and selfish motives. We get expansive shots of the historically renowned and yet defiantly urban Istanbul rendering a backdrop that is vibrant, with the Bosphorus sea an imposing and omnipresent witness to the city’s progressions and digressions. Director Ahmet Katıksız is nothing short of a fine craftsman, painting a trajectory for the characters that see them becoming varied shades of grey and sometimes slipping away to the darkest realms of black. Even elegant Rome gets sufficient screen time, not limited to its typical architectural marvels but living through its terraced restaurants, modern living spaces and cobbled walkways. 

The novelistic narrative engages the viewer just like you can’t wait to read the next chapter of a suspense thriller, making you binge episodes by the dozen without feeling exhausted. You will have to invest some time in picking through the complex themes the story ultimately weaves in, exploring human nature, the hand of destiny and the machinations of a wilful socio-economic system that manipulates the wronged. I haplessly beheld the absolutely electrifying and convincing portrayal of Elif and Omer as they struggled through the plot, not only are they beautiful as a pair but rarely is there a moment when they fail to convey their love and anguish, if not through words then through their eyes. 

Even if soapy in parts, I would any day buy in to a story that enmeshes so much drama without missing the plot. It is worth the watch because of man’s universal need to see the triumph of good over evil and love over war. 

I rate Kara Para Ask **** stars, this is one of the best love stories I have seen in years!

Kara Para Ask is now streaming on Netflix.com.