Saagar Kote
Set in 1970s Turkey, Netflix’s ‘The Museum of Innocence‘ or ‘Masumiyet Müzesi’ chronicles the life of Kemal, the privileged son of a wealthy textile businessman. Engaged to the influential socialite Sibel, Kemal’s seemingly flawless existence is shattered after a chance encounter at a boutique with his distant relative, Füsun. He develops an intense, perilous obsession with the young woman, leading to a volatile affair. As the feelings deepen, both Kemal and Füsun struggle with their own insecurities. Kemal’s love escalates to the point where he obsessively collects Füsun’s personal belongings and tries to feel her presence all the time.
However, the love story between the two complicated individuals faces immense challenges as those around them begin asking difficult questions. Throughout the story, Merhamet Apartments, one of the houses owned by Kemal’s family, plays a significant role in the character arcs of both Kemal and Füsun. It also serves as the emotional core of the layered narrative. SPOILERS AHEAD.
The Merhamet Apartment Building Poignantly Symbolizes Kemal’s Happiness, Agony, and Fate
Kemal goes through a difficult journey in the story, and Merhamet Apartments act essentially as an extension of his character. In the earlier parts of the narrative, the Merhamet Apartment Complex is where Kemal and Füsun get intimate with each other. The fictional apartment is an escape hatch that allows Kemal to pursue his deepest desires. To the outside world, he is nothing more than a privileged son of a wealthy businessman, but within the walls of the apartment, he appears to be human and grounded. The apartment allows him to establish a deeper bond with his lover and say things that cannot be said anywhere else. In a way, the small house is more than just a living space, but also a kind of alternate dimension where he can bend the rules to his will.
As his obsession with Füsun gets increasingly dangerous, he seeks relief within the confines of the apartment. It is also the place where he stores all the objects that he collects from his lover’s house. The apartment is a place of memories where the truth always shines. The building also represents the conflicts that Kemal gets into. When he confesses to his affair, his fiancée Sibel tells him to forget everything related to Merhamet. However, when Kemal spots the apartment complex after a long time, his feelings rush back and take hold of him again. He also finds it difficult to keep visiting the building in the absence of his lover, but is forced to do so in his desperate search for her.
After the car crash, he goes through months of rehabilitation and visits the Merhamet apartment again, where he finds all the objects related to Füsun’s memories. The house assumes greater significance as it adds flavor, relatability, and a sense of adventure to the story. It also reflects the nature of Kemal’s long and haunting life and grows old with him as he comes to terms with his feelings. Ultimately, the Merhamet Apartment building is a character in itself.
Read More: Is Netflix’s The Museum of Innocence Based on a True Story?
