Save Me (Kurtar Beni) (translated)

Halit Refiğ directed the Turkish film Kurtar Beni ("Save Me"), a romantic drama in a religious setting, built around sin, repentance and the judgement of the neighbourhood. Mustafa Kutlu wrote the screenplay together with Refiğ, Erler Film produced it, and Türker İnanoğlu is the credited producer. It is generally dated 1988, though some sources give 1987. It runs 110 minutes.

Two people stand at the centre of the story. Ayten (Gülşen Bubikoğlu) shares a house with her friend Okşan (Fatoş Sezer), and the two women work as prostitutes. Seeking release from her sins, Ayten goes to a mosque to pray and meets the imam, Salih (Talat Bulut), to whom she claims to be a seamstress. Their talks grow into close friendship and then deep love. Salih introduces her to his mother and his elder brother, Captain Rıza (Tanju Gürsu), who knows exactly what Ayten does for a living. What follows traces how the truth upends both lives, a move to another district, and the cost of anger and sacrifice.

The supporting cast includes Nuri Alço (as Fettah), Handan Adalı, Baki Tamer and Ekrem Dümer. Çetin Gürtop shot it and Sadun Aksüt composed the music. The film sets heavy themes, from prostitution and mental illness to murder and repentance, inside a love story.