My Favorites

Series & Movie

The Dinosaurs

For those interested in natural history and seeking a visual feast, this four-part mini-documentary series, brought to life by legendary director Steven Spielberg and the award-winning "Life on Our Planet" team, covers the 170-million-year reign of dinosaurs, from their rise in the Triassic Period to their dramatic end in the Cretaceous Period. Coming to life with the captivating narration of Morgan Freeman, the series brings not only the physical appearances but also the social behaviors and habitats of these ancient giants to the screen with unprecedented realism, using visual effects prepared in the light of the latest paleontological research. You can watch this epic journey, which became one of the most talked-about productions of 2026 and made a great impact with its visual success, on Netflix.

Ancient Apocalypse

Netflix's documentary series Ancient Apocalypse, which broke viewing records worldwide and made a profound impact, stands out as a striking production that questions established archaeological beliefs about human history. Hosted by investigative author Graham Hancock, the episode titled "Legacy of the Sages" in the first season of the series focuses directly on Karahantepe and Göbeklitepe in Şanlıurfa. Examining ancient structures around the world, the series brings to the screen, accompanied by a visual feast, the theory that the monumental obelisks in this region may be the legacy not just of primitive hunter-gatherers, but of a much more advanced civilization that disappeared at the end of the ice age. You can access this series, which offers a highly gripping experience for documentary enthusiasts who like to look at history from an alternative perspective and wish to examine the ancient mysteries of Anatolia through the eyes of a high-production global work, on the Netflix platform. 

F1: The Movie

Set in the heart of the real Formula 1 world, F1: The Movie centers on the unexpected return of a legendary driver to the tracks. The main character, played by Brad Pitt, who has left the peak of his career behind, has to both mentor a young and talented driver (Damson Idris) and face his own past. The film, which also features star names such as Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, and Tobias Menzies in its cast, aims to make the psychological pressure behind speed and competition visible. Thanks to the scenes shot during real Formula 1 races, the film establishes a strong balance between documentary reality and fictional narrative. F1: The Movie goes beyond being a sports film and presents a modern character portrait shaped around ambition, second chances, and the question "When to quit?". You can watch the high-energy and adrenaline-filled F1 movie on the Apple TV+ platform.

Sentimental Value

Directed by master director Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value offers a touching and modern story about family ties, memories, and the healing power of art. Starring talented actors Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, the film explores the emotional journey of two sisters trying to repair their relationship with their father, a famous director, and to face the past. You can watch this elegant and moving drama, the winner of the 2025 Cannes Grand Prix and the 2026 Oscar for Best International Feature Film, on the MUBI platform.

Flow

A captivating animation directed by Gints Zilbalodis, "Flow" is about a brave cat who takes refuge on a boat to survive after a massive flood disaster, and the forced alliance it forms with other animals. Because it is a dialogue-free production, the film does not have a voice cast in the classical sense; instead, it tells its story entirely through a visual feast, strong character designs, and tremendous music, giving the audience a wonderful message about the beauty of living together with differences and teamwork. You can watch this gripping survival adventure, which made history in Latvian cinema by becoming the country's first film to win an Oscar in the Best Animated Feature category at the 2025 Academy Awards, on beIN CONNECT. 

Book

The Blue Hour – Paula Hawkins

Paula Hawkins, author of the world-famous bestseller “The Girl on the Train,” takes readers to an isolated and mysterious Scottish island in her new psychological thriller, The Blue Hour. Revolving around the legacy of a reclusive, renowned artist and interwoven with the dark secrets of the art world and an unsolved missing-person case, the book delivers a fast-paced, immersive narrative that never loses momentum. This captivating novel promises a mind-opening and intriguing experience, especially for those who enjoy mystery and psychological thrillers, and has maintained its place on The New York Times' international bestseller lists since its publication. For literature enthusiasts who want to immerse themselves in a captivating literary atmosphere and embark on a mysterious adventure, this book is available in print at all bookstores, as an audiobook on Storytel, and as an e-book on Google Books and Apple Books.

The Life Impossible – Matt Haig

Matt Haig’s new novel The Life Impossible, which has reached millions of readers and achieved prestigious worldwide successes, including the Goodreads Choice Awards with his work The Midnight Library, is a modern fairytale that will accompany the renewing energy of spring and summer. The book, which is about a retired teacher's unexpected journey to the island of Ibiza for a house she surprisingly inherited and her rediscovery of life's miracles there, presents an internal transformation story that gives hope with the message "it is never too late for anything". You can access this inspiring work, which tells of the healing power of traveling, in print format at all bookstores and online sales platforms, as an audiobook on Storytel or Audible, and for digital reading on Amazon Kindle.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea – TJ Klune

This new sequel to the globally acclaimed novel The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, the recipient of prestigious literary successes such as the Alex Award and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award, is a perfect alternative for those seeking the healing power of literature. Set on a peaceful island in the middle of the ocean, the story handles universal themes such as empathy, embracing differences, kindness, and belonging in a highly naive language. Appealing to readers who love modern fantasy literature and heart-touching warm plots, the work offers a mind-resting, inclusive, and hope-filled escape. Those who wish to experience this loving fairytale can access the book in print format at bookstores, as an audiobook on Storytel, and in e-book format via platforms such as Google Books, Apple Books, and Rakuten Kobo.

Music

Hayko and the Entertaining World of Old İstanbul

In those years of İstanbul, the entertainment life was not as rushed as it is today. The nights progressed slowly, conversations at the tables lengthened, and a warm and sincere bond was established between the musician on stage and the listener. In such a period, Hayko was a name etched in memories not only with his songs but also with his energy on stage.

Before the pianist-singer trend appeared in Türkiye in the early '70s, he was an important name who left his mark on İstanbul's entertainment world; with his well-deserved nickname "The King of Taverns" Hayko, whose real name is Hayko Tataryan. In those years, entertainment and dances spilled out of the venues and lasted until the morning. With his magnificent stage mastery and his records, each more entertaining than the other, Hayko literally left his mark on the entertainment life of the period. An artist who successfully blended the Turkish, Armenian, and Greek musical cultures stemming from İstanbul's historical tradition in his records and on stage, he told happy, entertaining stories in his songs. Throughout his career, besides his original compositions, he continued to interpret works compiled from Turkish, Anatolian, or Armenian melodies.

His work "Merhaba" (Hello), which we will mention in this article, is a work the artist performed in the pop genre, brought to life with the lyrics of the late Çiğdem Talu and the arrangement of the great musician Şerif Yüzbaşıoğlu, whom we lost early. It is one of his limited edition 45 RPM records released by Diskotür, a label he was part of for many years, but this time recorded accompanied by the İstanbul Gelişim Orchestra instead of the Kupa Dörtlüsü (Kupa Quartet). 

Despite the years that have passed, these recordings continue to remind us not only of a song but also of İstanbul's polyphonic and colorful entertainment culture. Hayko, on the other hand, has preserved his line without breaking it since those days and still continues his stage performances. To close, I'm sharing with you below this song, which captures the spirit and authenticity of the era.

https://youtu.be/wl-ZBMR6dJ8?si=0P-7DxTdnPQNNyMY

Sarp Akbal / Assistant Manager of Marketing and Corporate Communications

Podcast

Where Should I Start?

Prepared by Mirgün Cabas and Can Kozanoğlu, this cult series discusses a different discipline, art branch, or scientific subject with the most competent names in that field in each episode. Offering a "basic guide" in a wide range from architecture to artificial intelligence, and from classical music to gastronomy, the podcast enriches the intellectual capital of the listener by summarizing complex subjects in an understandable and refined language. This series, which is an ideal resource for those who want to look at issues from a broad perspective in the business world where we are intertwined with different cultures, can be accessed from all over the world via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

To listen:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6O7PH7tqLiERxXfxY9mIhB?si=ZPpr2xxyR3CPzMVE9_uFTQ

Hard Fork (The New York Times): An Unfiltered Look at the Future of Technology

Prepared by The New York Times' technology writers Kevin Roose and Casey Newton, Hard Fork is one of the leading English podcasts that summarizes the global technology agenda in the fastest and most entertaining way. The series, which deeply examines how technology shapes society, from the artificial intelligence revolution to social media giants, and from secret backrooms in Silicon Valley to next-generation devices, sets out from the idea that "the future is already here". This podcast, which is an indispensable resource for professionals who want to catch global trends with an analytical perspective and listen to the major breakthroughs in the technology world from the most competent mouths, can be followed from all over the world via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

To listen:

https://open.spotify.com/show/44fllCS2FTFr2x2kjP9xeT?si=eDqZcOPwSdyKWQOHLXxOow

The Doctor’s Farmacy with Dr. Mark Hyman: The Scientific Guide to Healthy Living

Hosted by world-renowned functional medicine expert Dr. Mark Hyman, "The Doctor’s Farmacy" is a global phenomenon that brings modern medicine and nutritional science together. Dr. Hyman discusses a wide spectrum ranging from slowing biological aging to mental clarity, and from sleep quality to sustainable energy, together with pioneering scientists in the light of scientific data. This podcast, which transforms complex health issues into practical strategies that everyone can apply, is considered a worldwide reference point in the subjects of "aging well" and "holistic health". This podcast series, which provides highly valuable information for those who want to follow global health trends, can be accessed from all over the world via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

To listen:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1qNZ6WfvbyFTnXZMv2i2Ab?si=OSmcADC-Q6OerMH3AP53yg&pi=lXbyalv-Rbiqr

Youtube

Big Think

Hosting the world's brightest minds, Nobel laureate scientists, and visionary leaders, the "Big Think" YouTube channel presents complex theories and large-scale global ideas to the audience in a concise format. Prepared with a broad perspective ranging from artificial intelligence to quantum physics, and from philosophy to technological transformation, the contents serve as a mind-opening digital think tank to understand the dynamics shaping the world of the future. It is a highly powerful resource that develops analytical thinking skills and deepens intellectual background.

https://www.youtube.com/@bigthink/videos

Architectural Digest

Showcasing inspiring structures from around the world, innovative interior designs, and the living spaces of names who have reached the top of their fields with high visual quality, "Architectural Digest" is a channel with a stylish content pool that develops aesthetic vision. The contents, which convey not only architectural details but also the lifestyles and design philosophies of different cultures with aesthetic cinematography, also serve as an inspiring visual archive. For those interested in modern design, art, and architecture, this channel offers a wide range of content.

https://www.youtube.com/@Archdigest/videos