A captivating, straight-from-the-heart historical drama,
based on a true story. Features a beautiful film score (by
William Goldstein II) and authentic scenery (the movie was shot
on location in Istanbul). The characters are well crafted and
sensitively portrayed. Foremost among the acting performances, which are all
outstanding and convincing, is that of F. Murray Abraham
(perhaps best known for his role as Salieri in Amadeus). He
portrays the old sultan Abdu'l-Hamid, who buys a French
schoolgirl for his harem and renames her 'Nakhshadil', unaware
of the profound effect she will later have on his country. The French schoolgirl, Aimee Dubucq de Rivery, is played by
actress Amber O'Shea in a down-to-earth manner that some viewers
may not appreciate; nevertheless, her portrayal of Aimee is
endearing and plausible. The character of Aimee was not meant to
be portrayed as a larger-than-life heroine, but rather as a
culturally-displaced spoiled brat who was forced to grow up and
take charge of her life in order to survive in the more
primitive, oppressive Ottoman society. Maud Adams skillfully portrays Abdu'l-Hamid's jealous wife,
Sineperver. James Michael Gregary stars as the handsome but
naive successor to the throne, Selim, who becomes romantically
involved with Aimee yet fails to heed her warnings about the
need for political reforms and the elimination of the troublesome elite guard known as the Janissaries. Ron Dortch
brings to life the complex character of Tulip, a eunuch who is
the second most powerful official in the Ottoman Empire (after
the Sultan). The interactions of these individuals take place
amidst Ottoman royal court intrigues as Western European
influences begin to have a major impact.
based on a true story. Features a beautiful film score (by
William Goldstein II) and authentic scenery (the movie was shot
on location in Istanbul). The characters are well crafted and
sensitively portrayed. Foremost among the acting performances, which are all
outstanding and convincing, is that of F. Murray Abraham
(perhaps best known for his role as Salieri in Amadeus). He
portrays the old sultan Abdu'l-Hamid, who buys a French
schoolgirl for his harem and renames her 'Nakhshadil', unaware
of the profound effect she will later have on his country. The French schoolgirl, Aimee Dubucq de Rivery, is played by
actress Amber O'Shea in a down-to-earth manner that some viewers
may not appreciate; nevertheless, her portrayal of Aimee is
endearing and plausible. The character of Aimee was not meant to
be portrayed as a larger-than-life heroine, but rather as a
culturally-displaced spoiled brat who was forced to grow up and
take charge of her life in order to survive in the more
primitive, oppressive Ottoman society. Maud Adams skillfully portrays Abdu'l-Hamid's jealous wife,
Sineperver. James Michael Gregary stars as the handsome but
naive successor to the throne, Selim, who becomes romantically
involved with Aimee yet fails to heed her warnings about the
need for political reforms and the elimination of the troublesome elite guard known as the Janissaries. Ron Dortch
brings to life the complex character of Tulip, a eunuch who is
the second most powerful official in the Ottoman Empire (after
the Sultan). The interactions of these individuals take place
amidst Ottoman royal court intrigues as Western European
influences begin to have a major impact.