The Turkish film Yuregine Sor (Ask Your Heart) is a true story about a woman of Muslim faith (Esma) who falls in love with a crypto-Christian (Mustafa).
Prior to 1856, Christians in the Ottoman Empire had fewer rights than Muslims and as a result, many were forced to convert to Islam. These people appeared in public as Muslims but practiced Christianity in private. They are otherwise known as crypto-Christians.
The film’s website states:
Some of the Greeks living in the highlands of Trabzon/Maçka and Gümüşhane; hard to reach remote villages such as Krom, Yağlıdere an ancient Greek town, Stavri, Zigana, Santa, and Torul, had to show themselves as Muslims, mainly to avoid paying heavy taxes. They were forced to convert to Islam in the 17th century but as they kept their faith in Christianity secretly, they are known in history as hidden/Cryptic Christians.
Mustafa’s family belonged to such a Christian family and the revelation of his true religion creates a dramatic and unique love story. It’s believed this is the first film of its kind in Turkey where the existence of crypto-Christians is considered taboo.
Source: Pontosworld
