Diksha Sundriyal
Directed by Ngo The Chau and Buket Alakuş, Netflix’s ‘She Said Maybe’ is a romantic comedy film that follows the story of a woman named Mavi. Born and brought up in Germany, she has Turkish roots but has never explored that side of her parentage. She has been in a relationship with Can, who is eager to propose. After one failed attempt, he takes her to Istanbul for a vacation, where his intention to propose is disrupted by the revelation of Mavi’s connection to the Bilgins, one of the wealthiest families in Turkey. What unfolds is a series of revelations about Mavi’s father’s side, while she revels in her newfound wealth and influence, impacting her relationship with Can. The fairytale aspects of the film are grounded in realism, with the themes of love, family, responsibilities, and personal freedom, making Mavi’s character feel like a real-life Turkish heiress whose life is changed drastically. SPOILERS AHEAD.
She Said Maybe’s Fictional Bilgin Family Highlights the Importance of Familial Bonds
‘She Said Maybe’ is a fictional story written by Ipek Zübert. The plot focuses on the chaos that ensues in Mavi’s life after she is introduced to her grandmother, the matriarch of the Bilgin family. While crafting the treacherous dynamics of the Bilgins, which Mavi has to learn and adapt to rather quickly, the writer did not look towards any particular Turkish family. Having said that, it is possible that they may have borrowed some aspects about the family’s succession struggles, lifestyle, and ideologies from families like the Koçs, which is one of the richest families in Turkey. They are the owners of Koç Holding, which delves into all sorts of businesses to maintain its status as one of the wealthiest families in the country.
In the Netflix movie, the Bilgin family owns a company called Bilgin Holding, which has also dipped its toes in all sorts of businesses, but there is no direct connection between the two families. The plot of ‘She Said Maybe’ hinges on a fairytale-like situation where a woman from modest beginnings discovers that she basically belongs to Turkish royalty and is the long-lost heiress to the Bilgin fortune. While the movie indulges in Mavi’s journey as she explores Turkey and her family’s fame and wealth, it remains grounded with the subtle things that make the protagonist deeply realistic.
Using the cultural difference between Mavi’s German upbringing and Turkish roots, the movie explores the culture of Turkey, showcasing its blend of history and modernity, which is seeped into everything, from its architecture to its food. Mavi’s exploration of her other half allows the audience to see the country from a different perspective. To enhance this point of view, the film relies on real locations like the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul and the Cappadocia region of the country. This not only gives a cinematic feel to the story but also transports the audience to Turkey, alongside Mavi, giving them a sense of what she is going through. This approach gives ‘The Princess Diaries’-like film a touch of realism that makes the audience root for the characters even more intensely.
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