@AJEnglish An inspirational documentary which uncovers the impact of Turkish soap operas across the Arab world and beyond.

KISMET explores the phenomenal success of Turkish soap operas, captivating female audiences in the Middle East, North Africa and even Greece, who find the stories inspiring and empowering. Kismet also uncovers how these soap operas are becoming an instrument of ‘soft political power’ that reflects Turkey’s desire to play a paramount role in the region. 

In Cairo, the film discovers how prime time Turkish soaps are inspiring women to change their lives, especially in light of the failure of the Arab Spring to bring about real change for women. According to Samira, an Egyptian activist who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of army officials during the revolution, “we need Turkish TV series like ‘Fatmagul’ that talk openly about women’s rights, break taboos and urge women to speak out.” In ‘Fatmagul’, a woman is raped but finds the courage to take her case to court. Similarly, Samira sued the military for sexual abuse and managed to win her case, victoriously ending virginity tests in Egypt.

In Abu Dhabi, the film highlights how these melodramas are capturing female viewers there, following how the soaps depict Turkish women handling modern challenges and traditional values. These soaps question current practices found in the Middle East including arranged marriages, violence against women and honor crimes. In ‘Noor’, the Turkish show which gained instant popularity in the Arab World, the protagonist suffers before discovering true romantic love, inspiring one Emirati women (and many others like her) to flee unwanted marriages. “Because it’s not easy for Middle Eastern women to have this type of romantic relationship with their husbands, this show became so popular,” says the screenwriter.

In Athens, where Turkish soaps have uprooted local television series, the film looks at how these soaps are helping to break down negative stereotypes of Muslim men and women. They also encourage women to connect with traditional family values they feel their society has lost overtime by becoming more European.