Burcu Biricik and Burak Dakak Share the Spotlight in Harabe
A promising new project is taking shape in Turkish cinema as Burcu Biricik and Burak Dakak prepare to headline Harabe, an ambitious feature film written and directed by Senem Bay.
The movie has already attracted attention beyond Turkey despite being in development for some time. Inspired by real events, Harabe marks Bay’s first feature-length directorial project and brings together a story rooted in Istanbul with themes that extend far beyond one city or culture.
The film is being produced by Nida Karabol, Semih Hakyemez and Senem Bay, with Biricik taking on an additional role behind the camera as an associate producer.
Burcu Biricik Takes on a New Role Behind the Scenes
Known for her performances across Turkish television and cinema, Burcu Biricik will not only appear as one of the film’s central characters but will also contribute to the production team.
She will share the lead with Burak Dakak, one of the younger actors who has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Their pairing gives Harabe a cast capable of carrying a character-driven story while allowing the production to explore a more independent side of Turkish filmmaking.
For Senem Bay, the project represents a major step forward. Her earlier short documentary, Amca, received recognition at several festivals, establishing a foundation for her transition into feature filmmaking.
An International Journey Before the Cameras Roll
Harabe has generated international interest well before its production phase.
In 2022, the project was selected for the 10 Women’s Cinema Selection, an initiative organized by France-based Films Femmes Méditerranée that highlights projects by women filmmakers from the Mediterranean region.
The film has also received support from the Cinema Support Fund of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism. In addition, it won the 12 Punto TRT Pre-Purchase Award, strengthening its position within Turkey’s independent film landscape.
Following these development-stage achievements, the production is now moving toward filming. According to the project’s plans, its festival journey is expected to begin internationally, potentially introducing Harabe to audiences and programmers outside Turkey before a broader release.
Turkish and Middle Eastern Actors Come Together
One of the film’s most distinctive elements is its multicultural character structure.
Biricik and Dakak lead the cast, while Harabe brings established Turkish cinema actors together with performers from the Middle East. The production team will announce additional cast members as filming progresses.
This international casting approach reflects the film’s central premise: three people from very different backgrounds finding their lives unexpectedly connected in Istanbul.
Three Strangers, One Unlikely Connection
At the heart of Harabe are Selin, Fatih and Ahmed, three individuals whose lives could hardly seem more different.
Selin is searching for her own direction. Fatih is pursuing his dream of becoming an actor, while Ahmed, a refugee child, is desperately trying to reunite with his father.
Their paths eventually collide, bringing together people shaped by different families, cultures, beliefs and personal circumstances.
Rather than presenting these differences through a straightforward social drama, Harabe combines serious human questions with black comedy. The story explores family, belonging, faith, freedom and human dignity while placing its characters in situations where personal dreams come up against responsibility and the limitations imposed by the world around them.
That combination gives the film a potentially distinctive identity within contemporary Turkish independent cinema.
A Story Built Around One Difficult Question
Beyond its Istanbul setting and multicultural cast, Harabe explores a universal question:
How far would you go to achieve your dreams?
That question connects the three central characters despite their dramatically different circumstances. As their lives intersect, the film promises to examine the choices people make when ambition, family, survival and personal freedom pull them in different directions.
With its award-backed development history, international festival ambitions and prominent cast, Harabe is shaping up as a project worth watching for followers of Turkish cinema and international independent film.
Senem Bay will reveal more about her vision through the film’s festival premiere, further casting announcements, and release plans in the months ahead.
Source
- Birsen Altunas
- Gecce
- Sinemalar
- IMDB
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