‘Salvation’ Review: Emin Alper’s Chilling Allegory of Fear and Power

Turkish writer-director Emin Alper’s Salvation (Kurtuluş) delivers a haunting exploration of how fear, superstition, and political manipulation can spiral into violence. Premiering at the Berlin Film Festival, the film blends mystical visions with folkloric beliefs to depict the anatomy of a massacre.

A Conflict Rooted in History

Set in a remote Turkish mountain village, the drama follows tensions between the Hazeran clan and the returning Bezari tribe. The Bezaris, once wealthy landowners, demand back the fertile valley fields they abandoned during conflict. But the Hazerans, who cultivated the land in their absence, refuse to surrender it. The dispute escalates as spiritual leadership shifts from Sheik Ferit (Feyyaz Duman), a conciliatory figure, to his brother Mesut (Caner Cindoruk), whose visions and insecurities transform him into a firebrand leader.

Dreams, Superstitions, and Paranoia

Alper blurs the line between reality and dreams, using Mesut’s nocturnal visions to fuel paranoia. His wife’s pregnancy with twins becomes a source of suspicion, tied to superstitions about evil forces. As villagers begin sharing his dreams, collective hysteria takes hold, pushing the community toward violence.

Political Parallels

The film resonates as a metaphor for populist leaders worldwide who exploit fear and nationalism. Mesut’s rise mirrors how weak men can gain power by stoking hostility against perceived enemies. His rhetoric transforms disputes into holy wars, culminating in calls for merciless vengeance.

Cinematic Craft

The performances are strong, particularly Cindoruk’s portrayal of Mesut as a reluctant leader turned zealot. Cinematography by Ahmet Sesigürgil and Barış Aygen captures the village’s labyrinthine alleys and sweeping landscapes with fluid grace. Christiaan Verbeek’s score intensifies the tension, moving from ominous percussion to turbulent strings.

A Timely Statement

Alper’s film arrives amid debates about whether cinema should engage with politics. Salvation makes a compelling case that political storytelling can be both vital and unsettling, offering a mirror to the dangers of fear-driven leadership.