Mahpeyker: Kösem Sultan

This movie is not about Roxelana (Hurrem Sultan) and the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. It is about Ahmet I, and his favorite wife Mahpeyker Kosem Sultan. Ahmet I is mostly known for the Sultanahmet mosque (or Blue Mosque) he built and this is referred in the movie. Kosem Sultan was the most powerful woman in the period known as the Reign of Women (Kadinlar Saltanati). While Hurrem Sultan was the first woman to influence political decisions behind the scenes, Kosem Sultan actually reigned for 12 years until her son, Murad IV, became of age to ascend the throne.

The movie is really interesting and the costumes are fabulous. It is hard to say whether the story is accurate because very little is known about life within the Harem and this subject is still a taboo for many Turkish historians, especially the conservative Islamic ones. Still, it brings a new perspective to the story of Mahpeyker Kosem Sultan and how she became so harsh and ruthless as a result of her struggle to survive the Harem intrigues.