Arabesque (Arabesk) (translated)

Ertem Eğilmez directed Arabesk, a Turkish comedy from 1988 with a screenplay by Gani Müjde, released February 1989. An absurdist comedy, it was the last work of Eğilmez, a leading Turkish director. He finished it from his sickbed, watching footage brought to his room, and died three months after seeing the edited cut. Mocking the arabesque craze of the day and Yeşilçam's pseudo-intellectuals, it stirred controversy in Turkey and counts among the earliest absurdist Turkish films.

It is the story of two lovers who cannot be united. Müjde (Müjde Ar), a village landlord's daughter, and Şener (Şener Şen) have loved each other since childhood, but her father opposes the match and parts them with a trick. Unaware of each other's move, both go to Istanbul, where each crosses paths with the King of the Nightclubs. Kaya (Necati Bilgiç), who has dogged them since childhood, obstructs them every time, and the King's passion for Müjde makes things worse. He later repents and helps the pair marry; Uğur Yücel is in the cast as Ekrem.

Üstün Asutay plays Müjde's father, with Rasim Öztekin, Kadir Savun and Candan Sabuncu also appearing. Music is by Aysel Gürel and cinematography by Aytekin Çakmakçı; producers are Türker İnanoğlu and Nahit Ataman, for Arzu Film and Erler Film.