Biyografi Dünyası
A Tale of Istanbul (Bir İstanbul Masalı)

A Tale of Istanbul (Bir İstanbul Masalı) (translated)

TV Series · 2003–2005 · 27 people

Bir İstanbul Masalı is a romance and drama series produced by TMC and directed by Ömür Atay, with scripts by Gaye Boralıoğlu and Neşe Şen. It began on atv on September 18, 2003, ran for two seasons and ended with its 71st episode on June 23, 2005. The story is adapted from the 1954 film Sabrina.

A love story unfolds between the wealthy Arhan family, who live in a large mansion in Istanbul, and the Kozan family, who live in a small white house built in a corner of the garden for the mansion's servants. Mehmet Aslantuğ plays Selim Arhan, Çetin Tekindor Ömer Arhan, Ozan Güven Demir Arhan, Esra Ronabar Binnur Arhan and Arsen Gürzap Behiye Arhan. On the Kozan side Altan Erkekli plays Cemal, Vahide Perçin Suzan, Yasemin Çonka Çiçek and İsmail Hacıoğlu Ozan; Ahu Türkpençe is Esma Kozan Arhan. Dolunay Soysert plays Derya, İdil Fırat Aylin and Kaan Çakır Necati.

At the 1st Beyaz İnci TV Awards in 2005 the series is listed under best drama series, best actor and best supporting actor in drama, and best music (Kıraç).

DirectorÖmür Atay
Production companyTMC
Networkatv

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Through different eyes

AI-assisted editorial takes written from different viewer perspectives. They are not reader reviews; those are below.

Cinephile Looks at script, editing and directing choices; keeps a distance from formula films.

Bir İstanbul Masalı is adapted from the 1954 film Sabrina, which gives the story weight but also reduces the room for surprise. The spatial contrast between the mansion and the small white house in the garden is the most effective idea in building the love story visually. The strong side of Gaye Boralıoğlu and Neşe Şen's script is showing class difference through space. The weak side: stretching a known love triangle over 71 episodes. Being an adaptation limits the story's novelty; in so familiar a melodrama, showing class difference through space is the series' most memorable and original quality.

History & Society Lens Asks about the period, the social background and what the work reflects.

The love between the Arhan family, owners of the mansion, and the Kozan family, living in the servants' house in a corner of the garden, shows how class difference is written into space in Turkey. The mansion and its service relationship reflect a social order inherited from the past. That the series drew no notable interest in Greece but was broadcast in Arabic suggests the story does not hold the same pull in every society. Turning Istanbul into a fairy-tale stage may outweigh realism. That is the fairy tale's charm as well as its limit.

Series Binger A series devotee tracking character arcs, cast chemistry and season pacing.

The Arhan cast headed by Mehmet Aslantuğ and Çetin Tekindor, and the Kozan side with Altan Erkekli, give both families a balanced ensemble look. 71 episodes over two seasons is an ideal length for this kind of love series: the story ends without bloating. Being listed at the Beyaz İnci awards for best series, actor and music also backs up the cast and music working together. The weak side is that a fairy-tale love story is predictable; watch it for atmosphere more than surprise.

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