Kurt Seyit ve Sura - After their Goodbyes
The storyline of the 21 episodes and approximately 40 hours of viewing time of the romantic docudrama that bring together two star crossed lovers Kurt Seyit and Sura who are forced to break away from their noble lives during the onslaught of the Russian revolution.
The story begins when two friends Seyit the Wolf and Petro that are on patrol. Petro disobeys a direct order and kills one of their own men by his impatient reaction. Petro begs Seyit to not report him, but Seyit cannot let the death of one of his men go unaccounted for gives him an alternative and asks him to resign his commission and leave the army.
The scene changes to the beautiful but young Alexandra Juliangua Verjenskaya known affectionately as Sura getting ready to attend her first ball. At the ball Seyit the Wolf with his reputation of being a womanizer is challenged by his band of brothers that include Celil, Misha , Vladimir and Petro who is no longer in the military formulate a bet that he can capture the heart of the first single lady that walks in. Sura being that and not knowing what to expect immediately locks eyes with Seyit and finds herself enamored with the dashing Crimea Lieutenant only to be ignored by him. Seyit also a victim of love at first sight finds a way to have his dance with Sura igniting their love affair that will last a life time with epic love and great sorrow along the way.
Seyit: The lady promised me this dance to me , as well as every other dance tonight
As the bonds of love take hold between Seyit and Sura the seeds of hatred as festered by Petro who has always been in competition with Seyit begins his games of poisoning Sura's mind with Seyit's womanizing days while pretending to be friends
When Seyit and his friends get orders to go to the front lines Sura gives herself body and sold to Seyit and some of these quotes show how much they love each other
Seyit: Sura, you're so pure, so beautiful. You've given me the most beautiful gift of my life
Sura: every breath you take is my breath, your name is a prayer on my lips. I repeat it every waking moment all my prayers are for you… my love for you can't be described
Seyit: I wonder what I could've done to capture this little woman's love
Sura: First you used your eyes as skillfully as you use your gun, First Lieutenant and shot me right in the heart.
Seyit: I would like to make this moment last forever. Sura… if we don't see each other again, I want you to know I'll keep the memory of that night locked in my heart.
The front line took a great toll on Seyit and when he went missing and it was discovered that he attempted to jump a steep cliff , only his dead horse and his watch were found. Sura refused to believe that he was dead and never gave up hope that he would not return to her even though Petro said that there was confirmed reports. Meanwhile Celil never gives up and searches every medical facility and finds an unconscious gravely injured Seyit. Petro begins collaborating with the Bolshevik destroying everything that was the russian aristocracy tries to remove Sura away from Seyit who has now returned and reclaim his love for Sura. When Sura defies her family and jumps off the train to be with Seyit , Sura no longer is the pampered, spoiled and naive young princess, but a young woman passionately in love that is self- confident and finds the inner strength to over come the difficulties headed their way.
Seyit's determination to see his parents and hopefully convince his father of his choice in bride sets the events that put the first major crack in the unbreakable love saga that is Seyit and Sura. Seyit wasn't defeated in his battles of war yet he was defeated by his family. Mirza Mehmet Eminof pride and stubborn arrogance refuses to accept Sura as a bride despite her beauty and nobleness. His Demand that only a Turkish girl can be an Eminof.
Sura seeing that she will never be accepted as a suitable bride comforts Seyit
Sura: From now on we'll be each other's family
Seyit: Our fates were written together….. I believe them with all my heart
Seyit doesn't let go of Sura despite his need for his fathers respect decides to leave Crimea and his family to build a new life for he and Sura. Petro colludes with the rebels to attack Eminof farm forcing Seyit to help protect his family, but to no avail. Burying his Mother and Father he is left with his father's remorse that he disobeyed the family's long held traditions.
Seyit takes the risk and makes a difficult journey towards Istanbul taking his pricks of conscious with him. A different struggle awaits him and Sura in Istanbul which is occupied by the British. Seyit and Sura find comfort and a home environment at the Hotel Seref while they grow their love and the obstacles that they thought they left behind become even greater now.
In the series Kurt Seyit ve Sura …..some events were embellished from the book written by Nermin Bezmen…. One such embellishment was the wedding scene.
From an Interview Nermin Berzmen explains
NB: from what my grandma told me there was no hint whatsoever that Kurt Seyit and Sura had ever discussed getting married. If they did, that was not something my grandpa shared with his wife. I've interviewed many other White Russians who actually lived at the same period of time, and I realized that most of them were frightened to bond themselves to a person ( no matter how much they loved each other), or to a place. They never knew what the future held. Not getting married, but living together as a couple, was very common among those immigrants at the time. Let's not forget that for years all the White Russian emigres kept hoping that one day they would be able to go back to their motherland. That is why they did not give up their passports, they did not spend their rubles. And they that going back might easily separate or divide them from their loved ones again. In 1990s, While doing my research, seventy odd years after the revolution, there were still many White Russians who had never gotten married to their partners, and most of them chose not to have children or to own any real estate. Other than that, sometimes sharing such great traumas, full of bloodshed, heartaches, immigration, surviving, yearnings, struggle can tire and wear out one's heart, mind and soul. Sometimes lovers can end up with nothing but a sore and tired psychology. They start hurting each other just because they are a reminder of the turmoil they went through, as much as they are of the great, happier times.
The above explanation by Seyit's granddaughter goes a long way in providing some additional embellishment to the series and what should have been added to add some closure to the story and leave the viewers with unresolved issues.
Nermin Bezmen has provided some of the explanation or details in her other books such as Kurt Seyit ve Murka, Mengene Gocmenoleri - ( The immigrants of Megan ), Sura's Paris Years and Sura's American Years
What was troubling with the finale, Sura's story ended even though her departure clearly showed that Seyit and Sura hearts didn't. In episode 20 Sura saying goodbye
Sura: Write me often….. you to… come as soon as possible
Tina: I'll come
Though Sura is saying goodbye her mind and eyes are only directed at seeing if Seyit is here to rescue her once again… with each word she says her eyes roam the the docks
Tina talking to Serge
Tina: Sura is entrusted to you along the way
Serge: If she holds my hand, I dedicate my life to her
Sura's thoughts are still on seeing a vision of Seyit's
Sura: I love you so much
Tina: I love you so much
Sura: Goodbye
Tina: Good bye Sister
They hug and kiss for the last time
Serge: Come on Sura
Sura continues to look for Seyit but then puts her hand under Serge's arm begins her steps up to the boats deck all the while looking back desperately seeking to have her last look at Seyit
Tina: Bye Bye
Once on the boats deck Sura closes her eyes and says her goodbye to Seyit
Sura: Goodbye Seyit…. Goodbye my Love…. Goodbye my one and only love
Seeing Sura safely on the deck of the boat Seyit shows himself from the column he has been hiding from. As Sura's eyes open she sees her Seyit looking back at her
Seyit: Goodbye Sura….. Goodbye my love….. Goodbye Darling
Though this scene was touching and somewhat a tear jerker in that this was the sad end of this ever encompassing love story but was it?…. What went through Sura's mind seeing Seyit looking up at her …. What were the questions Serge would have since he clearly wants this woman's heart to be his.
They could have easily expanded the finale with an additional hour and the appropriate closure could have been achieved. My attempt will be to provide that real finale.
The goodbye scene should have been extended as follows
Sura's eyes light up with great happiness as she looks to the only man she has ever loved.
Serge: He came…. How does that make you feel
Sura: The fact that he came is enough… his love for me hasn't broken…. I'm starting to understand why he did what he did
Serge: He loves you so ….yet he married someone else
Sura: our love has never been the problem…. Keeping me safe or him safe has ….. we will be on this boat for a while….. I will explain my Seyit to you if you tell me of your wife…. We both need to understand who each other is
Serge: let me bring you to your cabin and then our journey can begin
That night at dinner
Serge: Did you rest or did you just cry because of where you find yourself
Sura: I had a happy cry… I got to see those eyes that stole my heart the first time I looked at him….. This is not only going to be about me….. tell me about your wife…. How did you know she was the one….. I got a sense of when you look at me you see her
Serge: I have to admit I was struck when seeing you crying at that wedding….. I did see my wife… she spent much time crying because of her condition
Sura: I didn't mean to bring up painful memories
Serge: I'm very thankful for the time I had with her … loving her was a gift
Sura: Seyit told me I was his life's greatest gift…. Finding true love is a gift
Serge: Having what you had with Seyit….. why did you accept Petro…. It was obvious you were not in love with him
Sura: Love has never been the problem… family on the other hand was, both my family and his. My Aunt and my sister constantly put pressure on me to give Petro a chance, because of the life he could give me….. and then Seyit's family couldn't accept that I wasn't a Turkish girl….. Seyit's dad prohibited anyone in the family to even talk to me. Going against his fathers wishes hurt Seyit deeply… My friendship with Petro hurt Seyit just as much. I didn't find out until the night before that Petro was responsible for the death of Seyits family…. He killed Osman to stop him from telling Seyit that Petro was a traitor. Everything bad that happened to Seyit in Istanbul could be traced back to Petro.
Serge: Why didn't you just tell Seyit and you two could have been together
Sura: Once I was shot while they were trying to kill Seyit…. He vowed to keep me safe and the only way he thought he could do that was to stay away from me… He married Murka to save me … and he got to honor his father's wish.
Serge: Where you hurt by that
Sura: I was deeply hurt…. And I lashed out all my anger at him… even though I wanted him to desperately hold me and tell me everything will return to the way it was. If love was the only factor we would be together for eternity, that I'm sure of, but life has written a different story for us…. Enough about me tell me your story
Serge: You look alot like my Isabella… your smile, your hair and especially your eyes… warm and inviting. We were together for 5 years before she got sick while pregnant with our first child. The illness cost me both Isabella and the baby… I became very angry that this could happen
Sura: Serge…. That day at the wedding…. I saw that you looked at me…. But did you see me or was it just your heart wanting to see Isabella….. I'm not Isabella and I will never be.
Serge: I know that you're not Isabella, but you are someone that knows true love …. If there is the slightest chance that we can find it again with each other I'm willing to try … if not … I will still watch over you in Paris
To understand what happened to Sura in Paris ….. Nermin Bezmen does in her fourth book Sura, Paris Years. In her interview she did confirm that Seyit and Sura did keep in contact after her departure
NB: I know that Kurt Seyit and Shura corresponded for some time and I know from my grandma that even after the first few years of their marriage grandpa was still thinking of Shura, and became nostalgic about her. But he loved Murka, too. He teased and spoiled her, cared for her, tried his best to bring out the strong woman in her and went out of his way to make life as comfortable and luxurious as possible for his wife and daughters. Although, like most other White Russians, he was determined not to own any real estate, he bought a lovely house and made it a gift to my grandma when he got sick, because it was something she desired very much.
Sura's letter from Paris
Seyit Darling
I do not know if my letter will find you. I'll try anyway
I learned from recent arrivals that you are still in Istanbul
There are so many White Emigres in Paris,
I see almost everyday one of those faces in Pera
I came here, but after awhile I gave birth to a dead baby
I got very sick. But now I'm fine. I just broke up with my husband
There is nothing that connects me to stay here anymore
I feel that I have to go to America.
I applied to the Bureau of Emigrants waiting for news
Seyit, I know a long time has passed, but I still feel like we can manage
If you want to start a new life, I'll be waiting for you
I'll be in Paris for another two months I'm writing my address, if it is to come.
If at a later date You can find it in the New York City Bureau of Emigrants,
Because now is not clear where I will go
I miss you so much
Your Loving Shurucka
This letter is a confirmation of the point that Sura life wasn't what it was led to believe from the film ending as she went away with Serge. Trying to find love after a great love isn't easy.
Nermin Bezmen interview
NB: Shura after quite a few disappointments and some harsh times, finally had a happy marriage with a very kind gentleman named Aubrey Nash. They married September 14, 1937 had a daughter named Sandra. What is important is that she was loved and worshipped by her husband. Of course they had their ups and downs, but they stuck together.
Sura died June 2, 1966 in California
Kurt Seyit Eminof's life is placed in proper perspective by his death
Nermin Bezmen Interview
Q: Is it true Seyit took his own life?
NB: Yes, it is true. During one of his business trips to Anatolia the train was stuck for a day in the middle of nowhere under a heavy snowstorm. He gave his coat, hat and scarf to a lady with two kids to keep them warm. He was sick when he came back. Being an athletic and strong healthy man all of his life he did not take it seriously. Then when it got worse, he was stubborn not to take it care of himself and he contracted tuberculosis.
This was during World War II, when everything was scarce and the country was in dire straits. Very soon he could not work. He had unbearable pains, he could not breathe. His medical bills started accumulating. My grandma put away her fur coat and designer wardrobe and started working in a factory where they were manufacturing ladies silk stockings. When he started coughing blood and the doctors told him that it was the end, he could not see himself waiting for death in bed, watching his wife trying to keep up with the burden of his tragic life for months to come. It was not a life-style for a man like Kurt Seyit; it was very insulting and hurtful.
Kurt Seyit did not have a delirium. On the contrary, his suicide was very well planned and executed. And with his execution he set his wife free of all the hopeless torture of everyday life his illness had been causing. As I said, he liked challenging life and death also. He simply said: " Okay death, you wanna take me? I'll go before you come! I win again !"
I know, for some of the fans of the series; Kurt Seyit's suicide is connected with his remorse over Shura's departure. While this may be more romantic and also for some it is the kind of punishment Kurt Seyit deserved for sending her away. But so much water has passed under that bridge by this point. Twenty two years had passed and Murka and Seyit had already shared so much love. What I told you above was the soul reason for Kurt Seyit's suicide.
Point of interest: the week after Seyit's death , Sura was in Istanbul stayed at the Seref Hotel and was given all the details of Seyit's life by Yaya who actually was not killed in real life and never was married to Guzide. He was a business partner of Seyit. Coincidence or fate that Sura's connection to Seyit remained even til his death
Back to the Interview
Q: Why did Seyit marry Murka? And why so quickly? Was it really related to his father's wish?
NB: Kurt Seyit was the kind of man who chose to challenge fate when life was unpleasant. Even his stubborn way of choosing to end his own life proves that. He was also a man who thought fast, made decisions fast, some due to his character, some to his military education. But he could also be hasty in his decisions if he felt he was cornered, no matter what the outcome would be.
His psychology behind marrying Murka is a reflection of his character. His father's wish was not the fundamental reason for his decision, but feeling lonely, misunderstood, out of place, yearning for his homeland, loved ones - also desperately searching for a new place that would make him feel at home and knowing that his love with and for Shura was only hurting them - all brought him to a point where he just dove into a new direction.
Though the series Kurt Seyit ve Sura didn't fulfill the happy ending the fairly tale love stories usually require it did put the harsh realities of life in that choices have to be made and a greater good even at the sacrifice of the hero and heroin.
The epilog after Kurt Seyit ve Murka reads
After 1924, in Istanbul and by the year 1945, when the second book ends, Kurt's life goes into another dimension. Without his beloved Shura, married to Murka, with two daughters, fighting with his destiny, he leads a life both difficult and harsh. Their paths united in shackles, love, pride, loneliness, stubbornness, fatigue, cruel fate
Life has away of changing courses in mid stream yet kept their hearts together even though continents apart.