When you first read Valley of Hearts, what did it make you feel, and what aspects of the project impressed you the most?
Leyla Tanlar: First and foremost, knowing it was written by Yıldız Tunç and having such trust in the screenwriter was very important to me. The idea of being part of her writing again after so many years really excited me. And when I read the script, what struck me the most was Sevilay’s strong potential for character development. For me, this story is about a woman caught between her own desires and the bond she feels towards her mother, embarking on a journey to take control of her life.
Growing up in difficult circumstances, Sevilay is a woman who is, so well-intentioned, graceful and yet who struggles to stand up for herself. How would you describe her?
Leyla Tanlar: Despite her tough past, Sevilay has managed to remain so kind and noble. However, her past has pushed her to live her life with the sole purpose of making her mother happy. She has always prioritized her mother’s happiness over her own desires and ideas, right up until her breaking point… What intrigued me professionally about Sevilay was her journey of realizing that the true strength lies within her, and how she begins to take control of her own life.
Sevilay agrees to marry Cihan despite not being in love with him and not wanting to, all because of her mother’s insistence, which means she’s putting her own life and desires on hold. In these types of stories, third-party characters are often written negatively, but Cihan, Melek, Sevilay, and Nuh aren’t shallow “villains” without depth. They all seem trapped by their circumstances. How would you describe the other characters?
Leyla Tanlar: Each character in this project is stuck in the challenges life has thrown at them. It’s important to remember that they are all human. No one should be strictly defined as purely good or evil, strong or weak. Each one is fighting their own battle, which makes the story more realistic and emotionally impactful.
Leyla Tanlar: “For me, this story is about a woman caught between her own desires and the bond she feels towards her mother, embarking on a journey to take control of her life.”
Valley of Hearts explores and questions the concepts of motherhood, absence of a mother, sibling dynamics, and love from different perspectives. How did you approach these themes while creating Sevilay as a character?
Leyla Tanlar: When creating Sevilay, I tried to focus on what it actually means to grow up with a mother but still be deprived of a mother’s love, similar to “feeling alone in a crowd.” This distorted and unbalanced relationship has led her to sacrifice herself to make others happy because she carries an emotional void that comes from growing up without genuine maternal affection. If her mother smiles, she smiles, if her mother gets angry, so does she. While Sevilay resists her mother’s expectations and might disagree with her, at the end of the day, she still puts on the dress her mother chose and comes down for dinner… Until the point where she won’t do that anymore… As an actor, it’s a pleasure to delve into the depths of this toxic relationship. That’s why I love the mother-daughter scenes with Esra and the dynamic we’ve created. Sevilay’s breaking point will be Nuh, because now, she has something in her life worth fighting for.
As Sevilay prepares to marry Cihan, a strong love also develops between her and Nuh. This love story has resonated well with the audience. What would you like to say about your partners?
Leyla Tanlar: Working with people I truly love is a great pleasure for me. And, of course, it’s also a privilege. If the genuine connection we share translates onto the screen, then that is so gratifying for us.
You are in Cappadocia for Valley of Hearts, a truly exceptional place. How is it living and working in Cappadocia?
Leyla Tanlar: Cappadocia is really a fascinating place. Its mystical atmosphere and natural beauty are incredibly inspiring. Every day, I feel like living in a fairytale. As someone who loves art history and archaeology, being here not only nourishes my soul but also makes me approach my work with even greater passion.
Valley of Hearts will be introduced at MIPCOM, one of the world’s most important content markets. What would you like to say to your audience in Türkiye and around the world?
Leyla Tanlar: It’s a great honor for Valley of Hearts to be introduced at such a prestigious platform like MIPCOM. We are always excited to share our story with different cultures around the world.
Leyla Tanlar: I believe that the universal themes we explore, love, family, sacrifice, and revenge will resonate with viewers everywhere. I invite everyone to experience the enchanting world of Valley of Hearts.
This interview with Leyla Tanlar was featured in Episode Magazine’s MIPCOM 2024 issue.
