MEDFILM FESTIVAL: TURKISH DIRECTOR TAKES A STAND FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Adnkronos International Italia
Nov 7 2008
Italy
Rome, 7 Nov. (AKI) – Turkey must do more to protect the human rights
of ethnic minorities and students before it joins the European Union,
according to one of the country’s top young film directors. Ozcan
Alper spoke to Adnkronos International (AKI) as his debut feature film
‘Sonbahar’ opened the 14th annual Mediterranean Film Festival on Rome
on Thursday.
"I need to be frank. I would be very happy if we joined the European
community, however changing laws because of obligations is not the
way to change the problems in a country," Ozcan told AKI.
"I feel at first we should change laws inside the country to justify
joining any community. I would like to see us not only joining the
European community but any community – a Middle East pact for example –
any sort of community."
Turkey and Germany are the two special guest countries at this year’s
festival which features 177 films from 41 countries.
"I think it was clever to put those two nations together," Alper
said. "But in general I feel political differences are not between
people, they are between governments.
"I think it is important to use art and cinema to point out we can
actually get along well together."
Alper’s film is one of 12 features competing for the top prize at the
festival. Set in eastern Turkey, ‘Sonbahar’, which means ‘Autumn’,
is a moving story about love and loss. The film tells the personal
journey of Yusuf who returns home after spending ten years in prison.
On his release he learns his father has died and his sister has moved
away. He then falls in love with Eka, a Georgian prostitute. But
the film also covers two decades of cultural and political change
in Turkey.
The film is one of 21 Turkish films being shown at the festival.
"I find this kind of festival especially important. Not only are we
here as guests of honour, but we have brought full length films, shorts
and documentaries which I think is an amazing undertaking," he said.
"I think this kind of festival is important for young film makers
from Italy and Turkey to meet each other."
Thirty-three year old Alper, an ethnic Armenian, began working
in the film industry in 1997. He directed his first film entitled
‘Grandmother’ in 2001.
He told AKI there were many positive changes taking place in Turkey. He
said he could have been imprisoned eight years ago for a film he made
in the Armenian dialect Hamshin.
But that would no longer occur because of political changes related
to the country’s bid to join the EU.
The film festival includes features, shorts and documentaries and
runs until 16 November.
MedFilm was established in 1995 to celebrate the 100th anniversary
of cinema. Its philosophy celebrates the value of difference and
supports cooperation between neighbouring countries.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
