A True Gentleman is an upcoming 2024 Turkish romantic drama thanks to Onur Bilgetay’s direction and Deniz Madanoğlu’s script. Çağatay Ulusoy will star in the film as Saygın, a polished escort with a successful career whose crying soul and emotional vacuum is concealed beneath his polished lifestyle. His meticulously crafted life begins to cave in on him after he unexpectedly falls in love, which compels him to reflect upon the ideals of love, masculinity, and self. The film will premiere on Netflix in late September 2024. A True Gentleman is a character-driven film with emotional depth that intricately weaves personal change with social commentary.
Synopsis
The movie depicts the life of Saygın – a remarkably successful and charismatic male escort. Saygın is the epitome of success- he is adored by women, drives fancy cars, stays at lavish hotels, travels around the world, and has many expensive watches. Despite coming across as the perfect man to be, Saygın is at an emotional level purposeless because of externally driven factors. Rather than feeling loved, he can only provide love and care. Everything in his life is dry, planned in advanced, and painfully solitary.
Things begin to change when he comes across Nehir, a compassionate and honest woman who perceives him beneath the surface. In contrast to paying clients who order him around, Nehir expects him to be himself—to relate not as a performer but as a human being. Their initial interaction is somewhat clumsy, filled with uncertainty and reluctance, before transitioning into a heartfelt connection. For the first time ever, Saygın encounters love without monetary conditions, and this profoundly upheaves his sense of self.
While Saygın attempts to come to terms with his occupation and nascent feelings, the picture changes from romantic to psychological thriller. His interest in the high-life begins to wane, and what once served as control—his status, wealth, and the mystique surrounding him—transforms into a weight. Following a debilitating incident concerning his close friend and partner Kado, Saygın is confronted with an irrevocable decision. He opts to exit the escort industry to follow his newfound passion for cooking, aiming to fuel both his own and others’ holistic sustenance.
The film ends with Saygın walking away from his past and starting a new, rather vague, but promising life. In his parallel world filled with a mix of self-created standards and superficiality, Saygın undergoes an incomplete yet honest transformation.
Cast and Crew
Main Cast:
Çağatay Ulusoy as Saygın – A complex male escort dealing with life-changing encounters capably shoulders the role of the protagonist.
Ebru Şahin as Nehir – A supporting character who transitions into a compositional transformation that Saygın requires. This character is loveable and an insightful and understanding woman.
Şenay Gürler as Serap – A client of great influence who adds depth to Saygın’s working life.
Haki Biçici as Kado – The character who provides emotional support for Saygın and his nearest companion. His tragic end alters the course of the narrative.
Nazlı Bulum as Hülya – A character that symbolizes various cases of virtue and societal scorn ranking people according to their money.
Crew:
Director: Onur Bilgetay
Writer: Deniz Madanoğlu
Producers: Cem Çaban, Onur Güvenatam
Cinematographer: Cenk Altun
Editor: Yusuf Ziya Kaya
Production Design: Burak Yerlikaya
Production Company: OGM Pictures
Distributor: Netflix
The film has a runtime of approximately 110 minutes and is in Turkish with subtitles in various languages. The filming location was mostly in Istanbul, where both the luxurious upper-class neighborhoods and the slower, grounded areas were showcased.
Reception and Critique
A True Gentleman faced mixed reviews on release. Plenty critiqued the film’s attempt to delve into exploring men but a noticeable amount applauded it. The film’s male lead character, in particular, strays away from the usually depicted morally virtuous and upright characters. In fact, it attempts to showcase a working-class, emotionally volatile man who in the context of his profession is quite a complex figure.
As for the performance, Çagatay Ulusoy has received a lot of praise for his restraint and depth, which have heavy gravitas. Saygın comes to life in the hands of his actor who portrays both vulnerable and confident sides. His understated movements and facial expressions very effectively portray the conflict between his external reality and his internal ambitions.
Ebru Şahin’s performance provides depth and nuance to the story through her embodiment of Nehir. Rather than mere eye candy, she emerges as a well-rounded figure complete with her own ideals and principles. The emotional heart of the film is best captured with the fine interplay of Ulusoy and Şahin’s romance.
The framing was also done by Cenk Altun, and he has received attention for his lighting choices, color grading, and aiding to externally express the internal journey of Saygın. There is a shift in the character’s life from performing to living, and bright, polished interiors reflect rigorous standards while moody, intimate spaces are more open.
Some reviewers also complained about the lack of pacing in the film. The slow-burn character development will likely infuriate audiences looking for heightened conflict and complexity in the plot. Additionally, some thought that the supporting characters such as Serap and Hülya did not contribute enough towards social commentary and thus felt underdeveloped.
Regardless of the critiques, the film was well received by audiences seeking insightful and reflective films, appreciating the strong focus on character exploration and deep themes.
Themes and Discussion
A True Gentleman tackles pressing issues such as the love, sophistication, and the rediscovery of one’s self. Saygın’s occupation as a male escort is far more intriguing than a mere plot point; it emerges as a perspective through which we can assess the expectations placed on men within a patriarchal society. The charms and control that he exercises provide for his survival, but at the same time, they ensure there is no intimacy.
The emotional reserve that a man must exude strength and power is a common stereotype. Saygın’s vulnerable side is enforced through his humility, not from nurturing domination or wealth. The decision to become a chef comes as a metaphorical statement; instead of consuming relationships, he nurturing serves them and moves from serving appearances to real substance.
Another key theme is the idea of rebuilding oneself. Saygın does not pave the path for himself to be punished for his pasts, but to elect to evolve past them. Kado’s tragic tale acts as a reminder that time is precious and authenticity waits for no one, he can’t borrow time and no one is free to give.
The class also remains an important aspect of the film. The difference in the means of provided and sought after by Saygın, both from the rich and the working class, highlight the transcendence of love irrespective of social economics.
Conclusion
“A True Gentleman” is a modern romantic drama that seeks to defy the norms. Instead of following a typical storyline, it explores the psychology of its characters, focusing on the male protagonist who has to navigate the emotional unlearning journey of societal success markers to achievement and failure.
This film is not for everyone, especially fast-paced entertainment seekers. However, its lingering effect well after the credits roll is indicative of its intricately layered essence. It portrays, with great craftsmanship, a harmony of nuanced performances, thematic depth, and stylish direction that together enhances contemporary word cinema.
Those who appreciate emotional realism and character studies will find A True Gentleman fascinating and well worth their time.
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