Turkish Wizard of Oz (1971) | Merits of Sin | Region-Free (DVD)

Title: Turkish Wizard of Oz (1971)

Alternate Title: Ayşecik ve Sihirli Cüceler Rüyalar Ülkesinde

Genre: Fantasy, Family

Plot Synopsis:
Young Ayşecik finds herself transported into a magical dreamland where she encounters bewitched dwarfs and must navigate a series of fairy tale-like challenges. Drawing inspiration from The Wizard of Oz and Snow White, she embarks on a journey filled with fantasy creatures, evil queens, and enchanted lands, all portrayed through a uniquely Turkish cinematic lens.

Cast and Crew:

• Director: Tunç Başaran

• Writers: Hamdi Değirmencioğlu

• Cast:

  • Zeynep Değirmencioğlu as Ayşecik

  • Metin Serezli as The Narrator

  • Turgut Özatay as King of the Dwarfs

  • Kayhan Yıldızoğlu as The Wizard

  • Suna Selen as The Evil Queen

IMDb Link: Ayşecik and the Bewitched Dwarfs (1971)

Reviews from Letterboxd:

1. eyestrain – ★★★½
   “Ayşecik wanders into a dark fairytale dream that borrows from Wizard of Oz, Snow White, and a bit of Alice in Wonderland. A charming Turkish mash-up of beloved fantasy stories, complete with bizarre costumes and theatrical sets.”

2. italian_ghoul – ★★★★
   “This film is WILD. It has the chaotic energy of a school play and the aesthetics of a psychedelic fever dream. Somehow more faithful to fairy tales than most big-budget adaptations.”

3. littlefatbird – ★★★
   “Uncanny and surreal. The dwarfs are both adorable and deeply unsettling. Perfect for lovers of offbeat fantasy.”

4. nekromantik – ★★★½
   “Feels like a children’s story as seen through a nightmare lens. Zeynep Değirmencioğlu is as delightful as ever. Wish more people knew about this Turkish gem.”

5. phantasmagoria – ★★★
   “So strange yet so sincere. The dream logic carries you through, even when nothing makes much sense. A curio worth experiencing at least once.”

Meta Description:
Step into a surreal Turkish fantasy with Ayşecik and the Bewitched Dwarfs (1971)—a whimsical and uncanny journey through enchanted lands, filled with dreamlike visuals, dwarfs, and fairy tale magic.