Istanbul Encyclopedia Review: Heartfelt Journey of Self-Discovery and Freedom, But Not Easy to Watch

Istanbul Encyclopedia Review | Leisurebyte

Director: Selman Nacar

Date Created: 2025-04-17 12:30

Editor's Rating:
3

Istanbul Encyclopedia Review: Netflix bring another intriguing content from Turkey, and this time it is the story of two women trying to escape from the places that have bound them, to begin a new life. Zehra and Nesrin, hailing from different generations and cultural backgrounds, are trying to build a new life for themselves, unaware of the similarities that they hold. This story invokes a sense of identity, desires, and the wishes of those bound by place, culture and responsibilities.

The series consists of 8 episodes with a runtime of approximately 44 minutes.

-No Spoilers-

Istanbul Encyclopedia Review

The plot of the story follows two women belonging to different generations, going through a period of going against each other to later finding themselves being reflected in each other. These two are women with dreams and a wish to be free in a world where they can stand with an identity that they create for themselves. Zehra is a young girl who moves to Istanbul to pursue her university education. Nesrin is her mother’s estranged friend who shelters her but has plans to leave the country to be freed of her attachments in Istanbul. Where one’s dreams begin, another’s finds flight, and the two embark on a journey of finding themselves once again.

This series was unlike anything I had expected; there is so much depth in everything that is happening in the show that it really captivates you. The idea behind the title comes from the assignment Zehra is given in class, and I absolutely love how she embarks on discovering the city because of the same. While this starts off her journey, the truly meaningful sites come through her experiences that make even the most simplest lane in the city something remarkable in her life. In a way, this series is like going down a memory lane ourselves, where we see the extraordinary in the ordinary, just like Zehra.

Moving on, I love the comparison where on one side you have Zehra finding a new side to life in Istanbul, whereas on the other, you have Nesrin, whose pain lies in this city. This is a place that was once a dream for her, but it has soon become a place filled with memories that she wishes to move on from. And looking at the people around her, I cannot help but feel bad for her in many ways. As dreams became reality, she found out that she needed to start all over again in another place.

I love the contrast these two women create throughout the story. They are both similar in so many ways, which is what truly makes them be in disagreement with each other. And seeing them stand for each other in times of need really makes me love the female relationship shown in this series.

Meanwhile, the themes of this series are truly very deep. Zehra is certainly the central character when it comes to the theme of identity, as we see her trying to escape from everything she has been told to be. She wishes to find her true self, and Nesrin is her guide during this time. We see her going against her morals while also finding comfort in her faith when in need. This adds to the sense of doubt that she has and shows us how hard it can be for a woman to find herself in the world.

Altogether, this series has brought in many wonderful themes and ideas that need to be discovered over time. Unfortunately, when it comes to the entertainment aspect, there isn’t much of it. You see the story of a young girl moving into the big city and going all out with her newfound freedom. As she creates a lie for herself and finds it hard to accept the truth in the end, we see a dramatic scene take place in the end like any typical teenage romcom we might have seen. However, the depth of the overall plot makes this plotline invisible and truly captivates your attention onto other things.

Summing Up

Istanbul Encyclopedia is an interesting watch for those who are ready to be patient and discover the hidden gems in this series. However, the lack of an entertainment aspect can make it hard to get through despite how heartwarming the story really is. The show has its pros and cons, and finally depends on the viewers who are ready to go through the story that it has to present.

Watch Istanbul Encyclopedia on Netflix.

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