I Still Have Hope - Benin Hala Umundum Var
This Turkish Cinderella series consisted of 33 episodes each a movie in it's own rite.
Cinderella is Umut Ozden a beautiful, hard working and self determined young woman who has a chip on her shoulders when it comes to the class distinction in Istanbul society. The rich taking advantage of the poor
Prince Charming is Ozan Korkmaz the only son of a very rich business oligarch family that have spoiled the handsome, very charming son by letting him do whatever and whenever he pleases. Ozan has become very bored with his plastic friends and seeks to find some one that is real in virtue and opinion.
Episode 1 provides the backdrop meeting for the two young lovers from their casual bump in at fashion gala that Umut was the last minute replacement need for Model Agency headed by Asude. Once Ozan looks into Umut 's eyes he is captivated by her beauty and must get to know more of her.
Umut as a model becomes the sensation of the evening and then preyed upon by the mighty agency heads that see her as nothing more than a means for his pleasure. Ozan seeing Umut being harassed by such a man punches him out and takes her away. Umut has never had a man fight for her and is surprised in seeing this.
Umut: What are you doing?
Ozan: Saving you from the uglyness of those hiding behind credit cards.
Umut: Why do rich think that they can have what ever they want because of their bank accounts… Their sons are worse
Sensing that Umut isn't easily impressed by wealth or fame Ozan doesn't reveal who he is. As Umut is being summoned by her half brother Musa who is a madman at times if his sense of honor is not adhered to. Utmut runs off dropping her prized necklace and not giving Ozan her phone number.
The Next day Ozan brings the neckless to the hair salon that Umut works as a receptionist and has a conversation with her about any chance of them seeing each other.
Umut: I work 12 - 14 hours per day with a half our lunch break , my only social involvement is with the people that work here. My father died when I was young, My mother remarried and I have a crazy step brother from last night and a smaller brother. My two step sisters hate me so involvement with someone is out of the question.
Ozan not being swayed by this …..uses his wealth to by himself a job- no salary and he would pay the owner $5,000 lire so that he can be with Utmut every day. Doing menial jobs aren't Ozan strong suit , so the Owner assigns him to Utmut to help her at the reception desk where Ozan easily charms himself into Utmut 's life and affection. He goes even farther into his deception of who he is by pretending to live nearby her so that her can ride the bus with her every day. Each morning he leaves his rich house and stands in front of the pretend house just to wait for Umut to arrive so they can go back and forth to work.
He soon comes to realize that Umut doesn't like to be lied to when she tries to leave him a present at the fake address she follows him to his rich house and confronts him. Ozan continues his deception by claiming to be the housekeepers son.
Ozan's lack of truthfulness becomes his demise in that Utmut loves him dearly but will not subject herself to someone that can't be honest with her.
Ozan is devastated with Utmut's rejection of him promises her that he will not stop trying to get her back. She is his only love and will be her husband forever.
Umut's fortunes have turned in that Asude believes that she can make Utmut the new face of Istanbul and agrees to sign her to an exclusive contract to make her a star.
This is were Hakan Demir owner of a prestigious Production Company enters the picture and is quickly captivated by Umut's beauty and innocence and pays for her acting lessons and places her into a television series and gives her a job in his production company so that she has income while learning her new trade . Umut becomes the newest television star of Istanbul and much sought after celebrity causing more friction with Ozan and his views of television stars.
As it is later revealed Ozan and Hakan are best of friends and Ozan can't help himself in describing the love of his life Umut whom he has regained her love and she has agreed to marry him. Problem for Ozan is that while he was broken up with Umut he was setup to have sex with Melise an accomplished business consultant and one that Ozan's mother approves over Umut whom she doesn't because of her station in life.
Instead of being honest with Umut and taking his chances he continues with his lies and marries her even though he was warned by Hakan not to do so. What Ozan doesn't know is that Hakan staged the setup with Melise so that he could breakup the new marriage and keep Umut for himself. He also comes to find out on their one month anniversary that Melise is pregnant carrying his child.
The love triangle for the two former friends comes crashing when Ozan discovers that Umut is also the only love that Hakan seeks and will stop at nothing to posses her. Melise confesses to Ozan that Hakan knew of their one night stand and set him up so that Umut would find out and make her leave him. Hakan has always believed that he was better for Umut than Ozan.
All the dominos of deception began dropping around Ozan and Umut asks for divorce. Ozan irrational thinking threatens to reveal Mother Zeliha apparent killing of Umut's father, makes Umut's heart close to Ozan.
Hakan's manipulation of Umut extends to convincing her to sign her to an exclusive contract him taking her away from Asude whom took a chance on her. He bought her a car , signed her up at exclusive clubs and began occupying all of her time. Umut made herself believe that Hakan was better for her and that eventually she may love him, but that could never be the case. When Ozan discovers all the deceit that Hakan has manipulated to take Utmut away from him, he confronts him on his boat. They fight and Ozan goes overboard unconscious and left to die in the ocean. Saved by fishermen Ozan begins to devise a plan to beat Hakan at his own game. Convinces his father to provide the money to start a new production company to go after Hakan's business interest, which become known that Hakan's company is on the verge of bankruptcy as it is.
Episode 31 has Hakan being fitted for his wedding tux , while an audio tape begins playing in the background that proves everything Hakan did in his role to break up Ozan and Umut . Ozan shows up in his tux telling him this is only the beginning, he will soon find out what is next.
The pressure on Umut is getting great in that everyone knows she doesn't love Hakan but is justifying her anger at Ozan for betraying her. She subconsciously uses Ozan 's name in place of Hakan further convincing Mother Zeliha and Hale that she is not ready to marry Hakan. Once Ozen shows up at the wedding ceremony and wishes them well Umut goes back to her wedding day to Ozan which was the best day of her life.
The wedding Register: Do you Umut Ozden take Hakan Demir to be your husband…Umut goes into a silence keeping everyone waiting as she looks at Ozan whose face was looking in from the out side window. As Ozan walks away thinking he had lost his love for good, the answer that no one thought would happen but hoped it would , did
Umut: I'm sorry …. The runaway bride emerges and runs out of the ceremony gets in a taxi who passing up Ozan along the way.
Ozan seeing Umut speeds up and pulls up in front of the taxi and confronts his former wife with kisses as their once in a lifetime romance resumes. Umut continues to resist in her anger
Umut: Leave my life , leave my life… as the kisses continue with more passion
Ozan: We don't have a cure for us... I love you so much and you love me that's all that matters
Episode 29 -33 not only has the runaway bride, has the mourning of the death of Emeril Korkmaz who was killed in a hit and run car , driven by Ruzgar Demir, Hakan's little tormented brother. It also has father like son in that Rigip Korkmaz, Ozan's father has been having an on going affair but continues to try to deceive with lies that eventually costs him his son. The series closes with Yelda coming to grips with her life choices and consequences and commits suicide rather than face them.
The Final scene of the series has Umut walking to Ozan who has been waiting word on the babies arrival
Ozan: Good you came….. as they embrace
Umut: What's up…..why is it taking so long?
Ozan: it's not normal to take this long…
Nurse comes out caring a baby… It's a girl … as she attempts to give it to Ozan
Ozan: I can't
Umut remembers her mother's words to her ….
Mother Zeliha: if you will not accept that baby , Ozan won't …
Umut: I'll take it
Nurse: we had complications, we lost her mother
Umut looks at the baby she thought she would never have... series is abruptly ends... but does the story ends as Asude proudly pronounced : Utmut will never leave Ozan, those two have a story …. I think I will have a series made …..they always have something happening …
Episode 34 officially begins with baby Emeril grabbing Umuts finger as an acceptance of who her mommy is…. Umuts eyes are filled with tears of joy in that what she thought would never happen...has just become reality.
Umut: Ozan hold our daughter, she needs to know who her mommy and daddy are
Ozan: I can't … I feel so guilty now in what I was wanting to have done
Umut: she is here….. she needs to know her daddy
Umut gently hands Emeril to her daddy as she opens hers eyes and gives both of them a smile to remember.
With Melis having done all the preparation work they now have to decide where they will live with the baby and what to do immediately….
Umut: My mom has raised 5 children she will know what we need to do
Ozan: Melis has everything the baby needs ... she has been preparing for months….. the baby's room is all painted with what she thought the baby would like .
Umut: you have the keys … let Emeril feel her mothers love at least for this one night ….. we will tell her the stories of how much her mother loved her
Ozan: Can we do this?… I didn't think it would be us raising her
Umut: she is ours , she has no one else,… we will do it …. Look at how beautiful she is,... she has your beautiful smile.
As is the case in everything that happens in this new family's life… the phone call from Mother Zeliha: Umut… with a sadness to her voice …. has the baby arrived?
Umut: Yes mom , she is a very beautiful baby, she has Ozan's smile …. But Melis died in delivery… they couldn't save her
Mother Zeliha: With one blessing we get two curses…
Umut: What two curses mom?
Mother Zeliha: Yelda jumped off the bridge a killed herself …. I wish we could have done more to save her
Umut: I'm sorry mom ….. for awhile I thought she was starting to come around, but those demons take over …. You took a bullet to save her and she refused to come home
Mother Zeliha: you're right about those demons… Zafer went again to get her out of that club and she allowed them to beat him bad…. Maybe that was her curse in not coming home that she did that to her father.
Umut: Ozan and I have decided to bring Emeril to her room that Melis got ready… but you're going to have to help me... what am I suppose to do mom… I didn't think this would have happened so soon… I don't know what to do.
Mother Zeliha: Keep her fed and changed but most importantly hold and kiss her often she needs to bond with both of you.
As was the case two days ago Umut, Ozan and Emeril will be on the pages of the news paper since once again pictures of them holding the baby. As Asude said their story keeps getting better and better.
Their night at Melis provides a little privacy for the moment but they both know that they must bring the baby to a permanent residence for the baby to adjust to it's surroundings: There is also the matter of funeral arrangements for Melis to handle and their wedding, so Umut is legally considered Emeril's mother
Using the wedding scenario and that Ragip Korkmaz needs to be in his granddaughter's life Umut has decided to find a way for repairing the relationship that Ozan destroyed with his father, so she goes and meets with Mrs Ozen
Umut: Hi , Mrs Ozen,…. I'm Umut….. I'm to be Ozan's wife once again…. Ozan's temper makes him say stupid things at times and his stubbornness doesn't allow him to correct those mistakes
Mrs Ozen : Hi dear, everyone knows who you are … you're even more beautiful in person than on the Television screen… How can I help you?
Umut: I would like to repair the damage that has been done between Father and Son and to you. Emeril, our daughter needs to know her grandfather and her grandmother if you have decided to marry….. Can you get Mr Korkmaz to come to our wedding once again… He was so determined to keep us apart but Ozan and I will be together till we die… I need your help to get him there and see his son and granddaughter
Mrs Ozen: I felt so bad seeing the pain between the two of that night, that I told Ragip that I would leave …..but he refused to let that happen, I love him very much and I know he loves me. It was never that he stopped loving his wife, he just fell in love with me to.
Umut: The tabloids have put every detail of our relationship and all of our mistakes we both made our equal share but our love has no cure it is what it is… so I understand what you are saying .
Mrs Ozen: we've seen pictures in the newspaper but they weren't very clear….. Ragip still carries the ultra sound picture of the baby… he truly wants to be her grandfather and spoil her….. do you have any photos that I can get his attention with….. My concern is how will Ozan react with me with his father….
Umut: I will take care of that… I like you and I want you to be part of our lives
Mrs Ozen: Are you sure… I don't want to cause any friction
Umut: There will be no friction… I promise you.
That night Umut tells Ozan what she had done and he once again let his pride do his talking only to succumb to Umut's wishes.
Umut: Is Emeril to have a grandfather like Zafer be her only grandfather or my father that tried to swindle me after not seeing me all these years? Ozan , your father adores you and you adore your father… Mrs Ozen is a very beautiful , and very kind woman that treated me with great respect,... I like her,... Emeril will like her….. eat your pride and accept what they have… they love each other … don't be like Musa that wrecks everything
Ozan : Why didn't you tell me first?
Umut: I'm telling you now because I kneeded to know if their was something to tell first
At Umut's wishes this wedding was to be as simple as possible as she has had enough elaborate weddings that haven't turned out the way she was expecting. Once they were pronounced husband and wife and received everyones well wishes, Umut and Ozan picks up their daughter from Mother Zeliha and bring her to see her grandfather Ragip and Mrs Ozen.
Ozan: Dad , my temper always gets me in trouble and doesn't let me think straight, I'm sorry I said all those nasty things to you….. you didn't deserve that from me… Mrs Ozen … I'm sorry to you… If my father is happy I'm happy ….. again I deeply apologize for my sharp tongue. ….. This is Emeril your granddaughter …. Isn't she beautiful ?
Ragip grabs his granddaughter and gives her a very big kiss …. I'm going to spoil you my beautiful princess. Ozan … We've decided that we can't live in the big house. It's not right , There are to many memories and Mrs Ozen and I are going to start traveling and get a smaller place for the two of us….we want to give you and Umut the house to raise Emeril . With both of you working the way you are the staff that you grew up with will do the same for Emeril …. Also I decided to name you President and Chief Operating Officer of Korkmaz Corporation and I will remain Chairman , until which time I retire completely. From what I have seen from the boutiques and now this Production Company you've started , the corporation will be in very good hands.
Ozan: are you sure dad?
Ragip: It is time son, Umut's love has made you the man that I always thought you would be. Umut… there are not enough words to apologize for what we put you through…. You are as beautiful , kind and loving as anyone can be and your love for Ozan greater than any man could wish for. If Emeril turns out to be the woman that you are. The man that earns her love will be the luckiest man on earth.
Umut: Does that mean I can call you father…. Father? Then proceed to give Ragip and Mrs Ozen a big hug and kiss. She whispers into Mrs Ozen ear: I keep my promises
Mrs Ozen : I can't wait to spoil this little princess also… Thank you both for accepting me… I promise to love your father the way he deserves to be loved.
Hale seeing all the hugs and kisses between the Korkmaz side of the family pulls Umut aside asks as to what just happened.
Umut: you won't believe what just happened… Ozan's dad just made Ozan President of the Corporation and gave us the big house to raise Emeril with the complete staff.
Hale : My dear sweet friend , even with all the hardships and crazy events that you have gone through these past two years, you have become Cinderella , gotten your Prince Charming and the happily ever after
Umut : if only that were true? I'm just thinking what will we have to go through now since this just happened.
Hale wasn't the only one taking notice, Asude was also in tune with the goings on . The Production Company with Ozan as her partner is now in a greater financial position to make the Production Company the biggest in Istanbul and Umut a bigger star than ever before. The war with Hakan is about to begin especially since his rage will be with both Umut and Ozan for the public ridicule.