Takva: A Man's Fear of God

Takva: A Man's Fear of God (Turkish: Takva) is a 2006 Turkish film directed by Özer Kızıltan.

For the Islamic terminology, see Taqwa
Takva: A Man's Fear of God
Film poster
Directed byÖzer Kızıltan
Written byÖnder Çakar
StarringErkan Can
Güven Kıraç
Meray Ülgen
Music byGökçe Akçelik
CinematographySoykut Turan
Release date
2006
Running time
96 minutes
CountryTurkey
LanguageTurkish

The film was Turkey's official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 80th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[1][2]

Plot

Humble and devout Muharrem lives in a solitary and meager existence of prayer and sexual abstinence. His extraordinary devotion attracts the attention of the Sheikh of an Istanbul Sufi order who offers him an administrative post as a manager for the seminary properties that support a school for orphans and poor children. Muharrem's new job throws him into the modern outside world he has not experienced before. He soon witnesses conflicting attitudes and dilemmas towards alcohol, charity and honesty. He notices that he himself has become proud, domineering and even dishonest. To make matters worse, Muharrem's inner peace is unnerved by the tormenting image of a seductive woman who tempts him in his dreams, both night and day. With the balance of his devotion now upset, his fear of God begins to eat away at his senses. He remains steadfast seeking forgiveness from Allah and guidance from his Sheikh in whom he has complete faith.

The Sheikh is portrayed as evidence of how power can corrupt. Throughout the story the Sheikh guides Muharrem on the mystical path, however, Muharrem is confused by the Sheikh's uncharitable insistence that rent is collected from everyone, even those who cannot pay. When Muharrem faces his greatest spiritual crises, the Sheikh, being on retreat, is unavailable to counsel him.

However, it is possible as seeing the actions of the Sheikh as pushing his fuqarat (student) beyond his comfortable monastic boundaries. The teacher may have given Muharrem this test to help him to grow and as a test of his character. There is a saying along the lines of 'Money will reveal a person's true character, if they are generous, they will be more so, if they are greedy, it will be apparent'. Muharrem, at first, is fair with money. He has compassion for the family that cannot pay their rent. When he is pushed by the Sheikh to collect from everyone, even those who cannot pay, a shift happens as he is faced with the crisis of following his inner voice and the directions of his beloved Sheikh.

The film ends with him experiencing an excellently portrayed crisis of spirit, driven by his inner piousness clashing against the jarring change he sees in himself, brought upon by his new job that thrust him unprepared into the modern world. He ends up catatonic in bed, being cared for by the Sheikh's daughter, yet completely oblivious to her presence.

Awards
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See also

References
  1. "A Record 63 Countries Vying For Best Foreign-Language Oscar Nod". Yahoo! Movies. 17 October 2007. Archived from the original on 26 September 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2008.
  2. Gaydos, Steven; McCarthy, Libby (15 January 2008). "Oscar's foreign film race heats up". Variety. Retrieved 23 June 2008.
Awards
Preceded by
İki Genç Kız		 Golden Orange
Dr. Avni Tolunay Jury Special Award
for Best Picture
2006		 Succeeded by
The Edge of Heaven

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