"Alef" An Engaging Turkish Police drama

 This wasn't planned, but when "Alef"(2025) appeared on my library arrivals I felt obligated to watch. In fact I binged.  Hence this blog.

This is my second engaging Turkish police drama in the past year.   Check out http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/08/graveyard.html

"Alef" is set in Istanbul and captures a lot of it around the Bosphorus.  You may have heard about "whirling dervishes" that were attached to the Sufi religion, a sect of Islam.  Apparently there were divisions and in modern times thought to be very rare, but we learn a bit about it as it is a key part of a series of grisly murders. 

Alef is the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet and was found as a sort of signature on a few dead bodies.  Lots of Qu'ran references.  

Most series revolve around a team of police officers and this has an interesting pair.  Settar is a veteran of the traditional type who tends to beat out answers.  Kemal had been born in Turkey, but was raised in England and rose in police ranks to a Scotland Yard division.  He is more ethical and studious.  Each has a sad background which is revealed over episodes.

Kemal seeks out more information about the early history (going back to the 1500's) and finds a university professor, Yasar who not only provides useful information, but becomes a romantic interest.  There are intriguing clues that a combination of modern technology and traditional methods uncover that lead us to a surprising conclusion.

Whirling dervishes may seem like an odd form of entertainment, but to a serious practitioner it seems to put them into a sort of hypnotic trance that makes them feel part of the infinite wisdom.  One thought expressed was "Everything is one and one is everything." 

A few issues referred to include transsexuality, human trafficking and Afro-Turks.

I found this a very engaging series and was struck with the professionalism displayed.  Below are a few of those who made this worth watching.

Gokhan Tiryaki was a director.  He has  42 credits for cinematography, 5 for camera and electrical department and 5 for directing including "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" (2011), "Winter Sleep" (2014) and "The Wild Pear Tree" (2018).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/10/winter-sleep-turkish-masterpiece.html

Emre Kayis was the creator and key scriptwriter.  He is a graduate from the London Film School with a MA.  Emre has 5 writing credits, 5 for directing and 4 for cinematography.

Mercan Dede was the composer.  He was chosen for his experience with Sufi electronic fusion which had been used in a German documentary.  He had won a scholarship to the University of Saskatchewan and has lived in Montreal.  Mercan has 13 composing credits pus 6 for the music department including "Head-on" (2004).

Serkan Gulguler was the cinematographer.  He has 34 camera and electrical department credits and 14 for cinematography including "Winter Sleep" (2014) and "The Wild Pear Tree" (2018).  

 Ozcan Varder was an editor.  Born in Turkey, but based in Germany as a free lancer he has edited films in other countries including Netherlands.  He has 31 editor credits, 4 for the editorial department and 1 for cinematography.

Harika Uygur was involved with casting.  She trained at the Seattle Broadway Hall and set up an acting studio where she coaches performers.  Harika is also a certified yoga instructor.  She has 99 casting director credits, 17 for the casting department and 1 as assistant director including "Head-on" (2004) and "Mustang" (2015).

Kenan Mirzalioglu played Kemal, the studious police detective.  He has a university degree in mathematics.  In 1997 he represented Turkey at the World Best Model of the Year and won.  He has also been a tv. host.  Kenan has 16 acting credits.

Ahmet Mumtaz Taylan played the rougher detective.  He had a career in the theater including in Germany.  He was the General Secretary for the State Theater Artist's Association and won a directing award for a play.  Ahmet has 90 acting credits, 1 for composing and 1 for soundtrack including "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia" (2011).

Melisa Sozen played Yasar, the doctor of Islamic history.  She has done television commercials.  Melisa has 45 acting credits including "Winter Sleep" (2014).

There are some grisly scenes in the first episode, but if you can get by that it is a riveting police drama.  I watched it on  a DVD from my local library.  Subtitled.  

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  Some of them are among my Turkish films.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if any film is worth following up.