TURKISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD FIND STRENGTH TO CONDEMN YOUNGTURKS’ CRIME, PAOLO TAVIANI SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Jun 20 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN. "Though no great pressures were
exerted on the Turkish side during the shooting of the film Lark
Farm, nevertheless, negative responses were inevitable," Italian film
director Paolo Taviani reported at the press conference organized in
Yerevan. In his words, Turkish newspapers have repeatedly touched upon
this subject, mentioning that within the framework of the Council of
Europe the shooting of a film is financed, which is against Turkey’s
policy.

In P. Taviani’s words, representatives of the Turkish Foreign Ministry
had also applied to the Italian Minister of Culture asking why they
permitted the shooting of a film, which is aimed against the Turkish
people. In response to the Turkish side they said that "art is free in
Italy." "Italy had Fascism, which was condemned, Germany had Nazism,
which, though with difficulty, nevertheless, was condemned. Then why
cannot the Turkish government find the strength to condemn the Young
Turks’ crime?" P. Taviani said. He expressed the hope that in future
years the Lark Farm will be also shown in Turkey.

Film producer Gracia Volpi said that they had applied to the European
Commission to get assistance for shooting the film. Only Turkey was
against during the discussions, which, of course, did not impede them
from providing financial assistance.