Caliphate

This European version of Homeland is tailored to address today’s migration issues. The Swedish know how to get the viewer hooked and  Caliphate gives all of the protagonists a hard time right from the first episode. Things begin to heat up for a woman who goes to Syria to find a better life, for a fanatical policewoman and also for a father whose daughter is fanaticized by craftily sent YouTube links. The film has momentum and verve, as well as often eye-opening lessons that might do some good for society. It's just a shame that at the end its creators shrank away from presenting the real moral of the story. Some characters behave irrationally and the twists are a bit odd, probably so it wouldn’t end up as badly as it might have. On the whole, Caliphate is a strong and thrilling film that squeezes the maximum out of the genre. A must see for all EMPs. (21/04/2020)

Unlike various lunatics (and there are more than a few), the creators of the series did not try to claim that a terrorist is a charming tan fellow, whose relation to faith allows him to empathize with other people’s needs and do many selfless good deeds. The Swedes offer a raw, unsugarcoated look at what awaits Europe if people don’t come to their senses. It had atmosphere, it was entertaining and even enlightening. I hope that the creators will survive any potential Islamist criticism. (27/06/2020)

A subject so fragile I dare not comment on it in my current frame of mind. But the series is definitely one of the handful of the best things I've seen from Netflix, and even if I had to, I can't think of a single thing Caliphate did wrong. I could complain that it crossed the line with me emotionally a few times, but I guess I knew what I was getting into. An incredible series in every way. (12/07/2022)

Reviews of movies and series are usually derived from comparison, and unfortunately, I watched Caliphate only after finishing the excellent Israeli series Our Boys. It is among the rare titles that can be labeled as perfect, and precise, without any flaws or missteps. Caliphate is, let's say, fresh and made on a current topic, but it is far from a perfect experience. The acting performances are average in some cases, and the thought processes and actions of some of the characters evoke the feeling of the screenwriter's effort to go in a specified direction rather than a credible reality. I read somewhere a comparison to the American series Homeland, and I don't consider that a compliment. At times, there is clearly an attempt to make the story more attractive no matter what. Nevertheless, it is an interesting and recommendable series. Overall impression: 75%. (22/05/2020)

The Swedes serve up a gritty and realistic insight into Muslim culture, and it's good enough that I finished it in one day. On the one hand, we follow the events in Raqqa, where Pervin plans his escape and contacts the Swedish police with information that a terrorist attack is about to be launched on Sweden. The depiction of life there is filmed very authentically and it really gives you chills. Watching it, I thought to myself that I am glad I was born in Europe. On the other hand, we see the work of the Swedish police and also the life of Muslims in Sweden, which is the second most racist country in the world. The conversion of young girls to the Muslim faith was very interesting and the idea of someone going to Raqqa voluntarily believing that paradise on earth awaits them, only to get a slap in the face on arrival in a bombed-out city where women have no freedom, power or rights. The series may eschew action, but it has an uncompromisingly bleak atmosphere, a high dose of suspense, a fair share of shocking twists and turns, great performances and constant chills guaranteed. It's both excellent and powerful at the same time. Story*****, Action>No, Humor>No, Violence**, Entertainment*****, Music***, Visuals****, Atmosphere*****, Suspense*****. 9/10. (23/07/2020)