‘Filinta: The Dawn of the Millennium'

With the production by ES Films, "Filinta," a period TV show taking place in the Ottoman era, is now back with a new season. With its first season a great success, bringing together some of the most prominent figures, both foreign and domestic, in the industry, TRT is now raising the bar for period films and shows. "Filinta" is filmed unlike any other Turkish TV show, as it is shot on a 300,000-square-meter film set in İzmit's Sekapark. With exact replicas of Galata, Pera and even the historic trolley, the set is unbelievably realistic.


"Filinta" is filmed unlike any other Turkish TV show, as it is shot on a 300,000-square-meter film set in İzmit's Sekapark. With exact replicas of Galata, Pera and even the historic trolley, the set is unbelievably realistic.

Stepping into the time machine of "Filinta's" set, the new season has tons to offer. Working with some of the most distinguished people in the industry, "Filinta" is now climbing the ladder of international success along with its success in Turkey. Undertaking the project is consultant advisor and director Bobby Roth, who has directed popular shows such as "Lost," "Prison Break" and "Revenge." "Filinta's" makeup consultant is renowned makeup artist David Craig Forrest, who has worked as head of the makeup department for movies like "Charlie's Angels," "Basic Instinct," "Dirty Dancing" and "Crazy, Stupid, Love."


The first episode of "Filinta" starts off with a verse from the Quran. "In that verse from the Quran, justice comes to the fore. We wanted to use this term because it was one of the main elements that brought together the Ottoman Empire 600 years ago," producer Öğretici said.

We got a chance to interview one of the producers of "Filinta," Serdar Öğretici, and learn more about the making, production and overall success of the show.

Daily Sabah: Es Film's first project, "Filinta," has been a huge success in Turkey and in some other parts of the world. What do you think the difference between "Filinta" and the other Turkish TV shows is? How does "Filinta" appeal to the public?

Serdar Öğretici: Most Turkish TV shows that have been aired and continue to air are either romances or comedies. We wanted to do something different and thus ventured to the detective genre. In terms of visuals and footage we are actually filming cinema films instead of TV shows. Although we struggle to find the audience to support this genre, our viewers claim and protect us.

D.S.: Turkish TV shows now play an important part in presenting and introducing Turkish culture to foreigners. Do you think "Filinta" fulfills this objective?

Öğretici: We don't think we have accomplished this objective 100 percent, but we are trying to do so. Our goal is for "Filinta" to not only be watched in Turkey, but all around the world. Lately, "Filinta" is being aired in South America. With this we aim to open to Europe. Our intentions were to capture the Ottoman era from a different perspective and I believe we have accomplished this because no one has captured it in the way we have. We hope better adaptations are yet to come, after all, this is an ongoing process. Hopefully this process will continue.

D.S.: The first episode of "Filinta" starts off with a verse from the Quran, why did you choose to do this? Why is the justice a mission for both "Filinta" and Es Film in general?

Öğretici: In that verse from the Quran, justice comes to the fore. When we first started planning this show we wanted to use this term because it was one of the main elements that brought together the Ottoman Empire, 600 years ago. We started the show with this verse because we wanted to give the message that something of justice was in the making. This was the main theme in the first season of "Filinta."

D.S.: Even though Es Films is relatively new in the TV shows, you have managed to succeed a great deal. What do you believe is the key to your success?

Öğretici: We have succeeded and we are pleased with the way this is going. I can't say one single factor that has contributed to this success because there are many. We started this show with good intentions, we wanted to make a quality show. We haven't reached the success we are aiming for just yet, but we are getting there. We hope we can continue along this path.

D.S.: In recent years TRT has been signing off on some really great projects. How did your journey with TRT begin?

Öğretici: TRT has been a great support throughout this process. With new management, TRT has been supporting new work like ours and helping us succeed in the business. Without them we wouldn't have achieved as much. When the production is high quality, the viewer notices and continues watching. This in turn comes back as great feedback and for all of this to happen we need great support like that from TRT.

D.S.: Not only in front of the camera but also behind it, you've been working with some of the best names in the sector like Bobby Roth, who has directed shows such as "Lost," "Prison Break" and "Revenge." How has working with such a great talent contributed to the show?

Öğretici: When we started making the show we didn't only want to be watched in Turkey, but also abroad. When doing this we needed the show to reach an international level. Our paths crossed with the talented Bobby Roth. In the time he worked with us as a project consultant, we learned a lot from him, as he did from us. It was a great experience for both parts in the making, but especially for Roth who learned about how the sector operates in Turkey, because it is very different from America. Since Roth is very open to development we had lots to exchange. To reach a certain international level in this sector we needed to take a step, and I believe we did this by working with such a talented cast both in front and behind the camera.

D.S.: How did you come up with the idea for "Filinta" with your partner throughout this journey and co-founder of Es Film, Yusuf Esenkal? Did you always have an interest in the detective genre?

Öğretici: Since we have grown up with Hollywood films, our logic was always different to the logic of Turkish films and shows. Along with Yusuf, our scriptwriter Altuğ Küçük, our other partner Burhan Özkan and our director Osman Kaya played an important part in the making. Together we used Hollywood logic to create the story. We combined justice and the detective genre and continued from this path.

D.S.: This year you and your team had the chance to attend the MIPCOM fair in Cannes, France. What was it like? How did you find the international interest for Turkish cinema?

Öğretici: We had attended the fair in previous years, but this year Turkey was the honorary guest. Because of this there were more Turkish actors and scriptwriters present and so the interest for Turkish cinema was greater. Because of our grand history we have lots of stories to tell and we are now slowly learning how to tell these stories using the techniques of Hollywood films. Since we come from a region that has been home to thousands of years of life, we have stories much different from others and this is why we attract attention.