EURIMAGES’ ARMENIAN FILM PROJECT ANGERS ANKARA

The New Anatolian
ABHAber, Belgium
March 16 2006

The Council of Europe body Eurimages, to which Turkey contributes 1
million euros annually, has decided to give financial assistance to
a film supporting Armenian genocide claims, sparking anger in Ankara.

The decision to fund the Italian movie “The Farm of the Skylarks,”
which portrays Armenian claims of genocide, was taken during a
Eurimages general council meeting with the participation of 32 culture
ministers, although Turkey voted against and Macedonia abstained.

The decision to give 600,000 euros in assistance to the movie angered
Turkey due to the thought of Turkey supporting Armenian claims with
its own money. Italian broadcaster RAI’s becoming sponsor for the
movie also created a diplomatic row between Ankara and Rome.

The movie that will be directed by two Italian brothers Paolo and
Vittoria Taviani is to be based on a book written by Armenian-Italian
author Antonia Aslan.

Speaking to reporters about the film, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul
stated that Turkey has taken necessary diplomatic steps and is waiting
for an answer.

Meanwhile, it was learned that Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi
intervened with a letter sent a letter to the Taviani brothers,
in which he urged them to tone the film down.