Harem Soiree (Harem Suare) (translated)

Harem Suare is a 1999 historical drama directed by Ferzan Özpetek. An Italian-French-Turkish co-production, the film was written by Özpetek together with Gianni Romoli and produced by Afs Film Yapım Prodüksiyon. It was presented in the Un Certain Regard section of the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.

The story unfolds in 1908 Istanbul, inside the harem of Yıldız Palace, as the Ottoman Empire enters its collapse. Safiye, a concubine of Italian origin, forms an alliance with the young harem guard Nadir in her ambition to gain power at court; yet the forbidden love that ignites between them takes an unexpected turn amid palace intrigues and a crumbling empire. Marie Gillain and Alex Descas star, with Haluk Bilginer as Sultan Abdulhamid, alongside Serra Yılmaz, Ayla Algan, Başak Köklükaya, Pelin Batu and Cansel Elçin.