Mehmet Bahadir Er
Toz Baba
VOLKAN, who had to flee the country he lived in (Europe) because of the crime he committed, had to hide in the mosque of an extraordinary Sufi group in Istanbul, and brings together other dervishes to establish his own community and miracle.
SYNOPSIS
VOLKAN, born and living in Europe with his Turkish-heritage family, spirals into drug addiction by stealing his brother’s psychiatric medication. He borrows money from the mafia to open a nightclub, but this venture soon leads to blackmail. To clear his debts, Volkan plans a large drug delivery; however, his innocent brother is apprehended by the police instead of him. Volkan confesses to his dad and seeks refuge in a Sufi lodge (tekke) to seek forgiveness. Believing it to be divine intervention, his dad allows him to escape Istanbul. Unbeknownst to him, Volkan's true intent is to hide. He steals drugs and hides them in the water well of the mosque before leaving the city. Volkan participates in charity work and unusual Sufi rituals in Istanbul and becomes captivated by a veiled woman in a nearby Sheikh’s mansion. The Sheikh encourages him to confront his own miracles. Returning to Europe, Volkan's journey becomes redemptive, healing himself and those around him, traversing the line between faith and addiction.
DIRECTOR/WRITER
Mehmet Bahadir Er
PRODUCERS
Mehmet Bahadir Er
Maryna Er Gorbach
PRODUCTION COMPANY
Protim
COUNTRY
Türkiye
Mehmet Bahadir Er
MEHMET BAHADIR ER is a director, writer, and producer. He received his MA degree in Film and Television from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (Istanbul). Working on movies, TV dramas, and international co-productions, his films have received prestigious awards all around the world. The latest film he produced, KLONDIKE (2022), was awarded at Sundance and Berlin FF and is Ukraine’s official entry for the Oscars. His recent movie GULIZAR will make its world premiere in Toronto and its European premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival in September 2024. He has been a member of the European Film Academy since 2017.
In TOZ BABA TEKKE, I explore the life of VOLKAN, a young Turkish man born in Europe, caught between addiction and the constraints of his conservative upbringing. The film delves into his struggle with faith, identity, and societal expectations. Unlike his father, who preserves traditional values in Berlin, Volkan sees no future within these confines and seeks to escape through addictions. His journey from Europe to Istanbul offers a chance to confront his past and explore cultural and religious differences, seeking redemption. I relate to Volkan, having grown up in a traditional family and interacting with various religious and political groups. The film portrays the complexities of addiction, the clash of desires, and the quest for inner peace. It shows Volkan's path from a multicultural, libertarian life in Europe to the unusual Sufi community in Istanbul, where he finds the opportunity to start anew. My goal is to make a movie that asks questions, not gives answers. Ultimately, it is a story of self-peace and self-discovery.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Maryna Er Gorbach
MARYNA ER GORBACH is a Ukrainian filmmaker. After studying at Kyiv National I. K. Karpenko-Kary Theatre, Cinema & Television University (Ukraine), she graduated from Andrzej Wajda Master School of Film Directing (Poland). She is married to Mehmet Bahadir, and together they have made four feature films. Since 2017, she has been a member of the European Film Academy. The latest film she produced, KLONDIKE (2022), was awarded at Sundance and Berlin and is Ukraine’s official entry for the Oscars.
Production company profile
PROTIM V.P has been providing creative solutions for unique projects since 2005. The company specializes in feature movies, documentaries, shorts, international co-productions, and advertisements.
Where are we at?
TOTAL ESTIMATED BUDGET
1.200.000 €
Production timeline
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