Caliphate - Nail biting tension all the way !

ASHOK’S FIVE reasons to watch “Caliphate” now streaming on Netflix, a Swedish 2020 series and winner of the Nordisk film and TV Fond prize. Season 1 comprises eight episodes and keeps you on the edge of your seat all through.

1.       Created by the veteran Wilhelm Behrman and shot across Stockholm and Jordan, the series covers the story of people impacted by the terrorist crisis in the geography. The settings, characters, houses and décor right through the bed-linen are realistic and capture the ground situation so well.

2.       A fantastic performance by Swedish actor Gizem Erdogan as Previn, the hapless housewife caught in Raqqa and attempting to escape. She is brilliant in her character, sometimes vulnerable, sometimes the victim and sometimes flashes of clever thinking on her feet.

3.       The story has three parallel plots running simultaneously – the story of Pervin trying to escape and get back home. The story of Fatima the Swedish cop who is facing tough times at work and is seeking to help Pervin escape and finally the story of two teenage sisters who are caught up in the radical philosophy and want to join the movement. The series manages to blend the destiny of all three leads seamlessly and keeps you on the edge of your seat all through.

4.       Caliphate does not boast too many scenes of violence, blood or gore. It is actually the acting and the drama that builds up the suspense and the tension all through.

5.       A special mention for the manner in which the family tensions that arise owing to these problems are depicted in a realistic manner and results in growing empathy for the parents.

Caliphate is a master-class in building nail biting tension with simple focus on acting, dramatic plots and brilliant under-current of emotions. It takes you as close to the situation on ground without emphasizing on an over-the-top jingoistic narrative.