Category: Culture/Art

Film as a cultural bridge between Turkey and France

BARÇIN YİNANÇ

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

At a cultural program in Istanbul last week, supported by the EU and intended to bring French and Turkish directors together, Turkish director Reha Erdem said there are currently Turkish movies that break box office records and appeal to audiences all over the world. Erdem praised the funding generosity of the EU, and is particularly grateful to France for its support of independent cinema.

European movie industry continues to function as a cultural bridge between countries. France is now working on setting up similar projects, funded in cooperation with Italy, Belgium, Poland and Spain.

Turkish cinema has never been so colorful, diverse and productive, and when one speaks about Turkish culture, Turkish cinema comes to mind first, according to a prominent Turkish director.

Turkish director Reha Erdem said at an EU cultural bridges program panel last week that Turkish movies are now breaking box office records all over the world. Praising EU funding for the joint production of movies, Erdem said she was particularly grateful to France for its support of independent cinema.

ARTE and cultural difference

Michel Reilhac, the head of the French branch of ARTE, a European cultural television channel, explained how the launching of the television station nearly 20 years ago by French President François Mitterand and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl had contributed to the European movie industry and continues to function as a cultural bridge.

The founders of ARTE believed it would bring French and German citizens closer on a cultural level, and would promote cultural integration throughout Europe. It was a political initiative they believed would foster cultural integration, providing a vehicle for a political process that would give flesh to the very idea of the EU.

The launching of ARTE marked the first and only time a television channel was created for audiences in two different countries. “The challenge at the start was to set up a channel that provided the same programming for two different cultures,” Reilhac said.

“Seeing how ARTE has been able to provide a bridge for cultural differences between France and Germany has been fascinating,” he said.

“We saw how different from Germany we were. We have a different sense of humor and different literature. ARTE allowed us to confront and appreciate these differences. We seldom agree on one program, and we know that decisions will never be 100 percent satisfactory for both sides, but we manage,” Reilhac said.

Reilhac said France is now working on setting up similar projects, funded in cooperation with Italy, Belgium, Poland and Spain.

A key personality in the French audiovisual and filmmaking landscape, Reilhac also spoke about trans-media, a new phenomenon in the industry. “It is a new form of story telling, and is being invented as we speak,” he said. “It is not limited to one platform, and can be used with cell phones, computers, and televisions.”

The importance of film festivals

While Reilhac believes we need to stop thinking that films can only be seen in theaters, he still thinks watching a film in a theater provides the best way to access a film. “Theaters won’t disappear, and festivals will grow in importance,” he said.

The Istanbul Film Festival’s 30-year existence stands as a testimony to Reilhac’s views. “Although it has now become much easier to access films, interest in the Istanbul Film Festival keeps increasing,” said Azize Tan, director of the festival since 2006.

The festival began following the 1980 military coup, in a political environment that made it impossible to access new films and produce new movies. As its popularity increased, the festival has become a huge event, during which up to 220 films are shown to around 150,000 people.

Moderated by Serra Yılmaz, one of the best-known Turkish actresses in Europe, Italian actress Lavinia Longhi, who played Claudia Cardinale in Ali İlhan’s “La Signora Enrica,” also attended the panel. The movie is set to be screened in Turkey soon.

The cultural bridges program encourages actors and cultural organizations in Turkey and the EU to cooperate in contemporary arts and culture projects.

November 15, 2010
US writer shows her love for Turkey with new book

Katharine Branning, a US researcher and writer, has been traveling to Turkey for 30 years and has published her experience in a new book: ‘Yes, I Would Love Another Cup of Tea,’ which has already been translated into Turkish. ‘I want people in the US to understand Turkey better. I want to show how peaceful, right-minded and modern Turkey is,’ she says

U.S. researcher-writer Katharine Branning has published a book about her 30 years of experience traveling to Turkey, titled “Yes, I Would Love Another Cup of Tea,” saying she wanted to show people in the U.S. how peaceful, right-minded and modern Turkey is.

Becoming Turkey’s volunteer ambassador with her book, which has been translated into Turkish under the title “Bir Çay Daha Lütfen,” Branning spoke about her observations of Turkey.

She said she had previously written many articles on Turkey, but the idea to write a book came up thanks to her poet friend Muhsin İlyas Subaşı. “One day when I went to visit him, he said Turks would be interested in my observations of their country. I said no at first, doubting that people would be interested in my travels. But later on I thought he was right because I have spent 30 years in Turkey and they were not travels with a tourist purpose only. I have been interested in Turkey for a long time. And then I started writing.”

She said the main reason she decided to write the book was to thank the Turkish people for their warm attitude and also to educate people in the U.S. about Turkey. “I want people in the U.S. to understand Turkey better. I want to show how Turkey is a peaceful, right-minded and modern country,” she said.

Turkey 20 years later

Branning said Turkey had a political role to provide dialogue among the Middle Eastern countries. “I am looking forward to the next 20 years, because Turkey will play a huge role in providing dialogue between countries that have conflict today.”

Mentioning the economic and social problems that Turkey had 30 years ago, Branning said Turkey was a magnificent success story. “It is wonderful that it is such a modern and developed country right now. I can’t even imagine what will happen 20 years later and can’t wait to see it.”

Branning said Turkey would never turn its back on the West. “Perhaps the U.S. people think Turkey turned its back on the West because it wants to carry out trade with Iran or develop gas lines with Russia. But no, Turkey is looking for new enterprises. This is why it will never turn its back on the U.S. or the West. Because this is what makes Turkey strong. It knows what democracy means. This is what also makes Turkey different from other countries in the Middle East.”

Positive reactions from Turks

Branning said the reactions of Turks to her book were very positive. “Turks liked that I wrote about my observations of their simple behaviors and their courtesy to each other in daily life. Such things seem normal to you, but in my opinion, these are wonderful behaviors. What I write in my books causes Turks to realize their richness and it makes me proud,” she said.

She also said U.S. people should read more about Turkey and learn about its cultural development. “I am very impressed by Turkey’s efforts to establish dialogue with its partners in the Middle East. Such things show that the Middle East has a peaceful country like Turkey. This is the most important point that should be highlighted in the U.S.”

Branning said she was currently preparing to write a second book about Turkey, adding that it would feature a love story from the 13th century in the time of the Seljuks. “Turks always ask me if my new book would be a love story. They are very romantic people. My new book will be a love story, but it is not only between men and women but also the love between the sultan and his country,” she said.

via US writer shows her love for Turkey with new book – Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review.

November 15, 2010
“Infinite Territory” weighs Persian cultural influence over Anatolia

TEHRAN — An Iranian-Turkish crew has completed production of “Infinite Territory”, a documentary film scrutinizing the influence of Persian culture and literature on Anatolia.

The documentary has been produced in six 20-minute episodes by Iranian filmmaker Gholamreza Siami for IRIB’s international TV network Sahar.

The film provides clues as to how Persian culture and language have had an effect on various fields including architecture, literature, and scientific studies in the region, the Sahar Public Relations Office announced in a press release on Sunday.

Many scholars, translators, authors, publishers, historians, and architects were interviewed for production of the documentary.

It also studies the effects of Persian poet and mystic Molavi Jalal-ad-Din Rumi, whose tomb is located in Konya in southern Turkey.

The crew toured the Turkish cities of Istanbul, Ankara, Konya, Mardin, Diyarbakir, and Sanliurfa for production of the film.

In addition, they made journeys to the ancient Turkish sites of Cappadocia, Midyat, and Mount Nemrut to gather information for the film.

Turkish translator Veysel Basci, who has rendered a number of works on Persian modern and classic literature, was an advisor to the project.

A cameraman, his assistant and a production manager were hired in Turkey.

via tehran times : “Infinite Territory” weighs Persian cultural influence over Anatolia.

November 15, 2010
‘A State of Affairs’ to open this week in Istanbul

An exhibition of 91 photographs taken by Portuguese photographers over a one-week period in 2009 will open Thursday at the Cezayir Restaurant Gallery just behind Galatasaray High School.

The exhibition opens on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and exhibits 91 photos including photos from Istanbul.

Entitled “A State of Affairs,” the exhibition is premised on the idea that the world’s news is becoming more and more restricted to what the big news-gathering agencies of the world decide is news even though there are many stories that deserve telling. In 2009, 13 photographers from KameraPhoto set off separately from Lisbon, Portugal, to 13 cities around the globe that were the most frequently mentioned. They each spent a week working with a local newspaper to photograph current events.

The curator, Pauliana Valente Piementel, was one of the 13 photographers. She came to Istanbul to work out of the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review. While writing for the paper she spent time photographing the city. The result of the photographers’ work is “A State of Affairs.” The exhibition has already visited New York, London and Brazil.

The exhibition is sponsored by the 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency, Pera Fest and the Daily News. Located in the Cezayir Restaurant Gallery, it is in a convenient place in Beyoğlu at the head of French Sk.

The opening will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and the exhibition will be at the Cezayir Restaurant Gallery for approximately one month.

Address: Cezayir Restaurant Gallery, Hayriye Cad. No. 12, Galatasaray, Beyoğlu

November 15, 2010
Istanbul’s Sabancı museum hosts award-winning Islamic artworks

The Sakıp Sabancı Museum welcomes a new exhibition Friday, the ‘2009 Jameel Prize 2009,’ from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The Jameel Prize is a new international art prize for contemporary artists and designers inspired by traditional Islamic art, craft and design. All works competing for the award were exhibited last year in London and are now on display in Istanbul

Leading curators, designers, artists and cultural figures around the world were invited to nominate candidates for the Jameel Prize. In terms of media, the work ranges from jewelry and photomontage to turned wooden prints.

Leading curators, designers, artists and cultural figures around the world were invited to nominate candidates for the Jameel Prize. In terms of media, the work ranges from jewelry and photomontage to turned wooden prints.

Istanbul’s Sakıp Sabancı Museum is hosting the “Jameel Prize 2009” exhibition from the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The exhibition features works by contemporary artists and designers inspired by traditional Islamic craft and design.

Speaking at the opening ceremony Friday, museum Director Nazan Ölçer said the rich cultural heritage of Islamic art was a big source of inspiration for contemporary art and artists. She said countries like Pakistan, Iraq, Bangladesh and Palestine, which fight against many crises, had many talented artists that should be considered.

Tim Stanley, a curator at the V&A, said it was very significant to curate the exhibition and to establish cultural dialogue between Islamic art and contemporary artists.

He said the first Jameel Prize was presented to Iranian-born New York artist Afruz Amighi for his work “1001 Pages.” He said all works competing for the award were exhibited last year at the V&A and are now being presented to visitors at the Sabancı museum.

“The V&A began collecting Islamic art in 1850s and has one of the biggest collections. It also held an exhibition about Islamic art in 2006,” he said.

Jameel Prize

The Jameel Prize is a new international art prize for contemporary artists and designers inspired by traditional Islamic art, craft and design. The initiative was launched by the V&A to explore the cultural dialogue between Islamic artistic traditions and contemporary practices, and to contribute to a broader debate about Islamic culture.

The Jameel Prize is sponsored by Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel, who conceived the idea after providing financial support for the renovation of the V&A’s Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art, which opened in July 2006. The prize will be awarded every two years. The patron of the Jameel Prize is Zaha Hadid, widely regarded as one of the world’s most innovative architects, consistently testing the boundaries of architecture, urbanism and design.

Leading curators, designers, artists and cultural figures around the world were invited to nominate candidates for the Jameel Prize. Over 100 nominations were submitted, and nine artists were short-listed. The nine finalists were then invited to submit work for an exhibition at the V&A.

In terms of media the work ranges from jewelry and photomontage to turned wood and screen prints. The resulting exhibition demonstrates how dynamic traditional Islamic art can be, and how complex and eloquent the art and design inspired by this tradition has become.

The exhibition at the Sabancı Museum will remain open until Jan. 9.

November 15, 2010
Turkey’s Rambo Takes on Israel

Turkish film is based on a man’s revenge over the Mavi Marmara incident.

Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

(ISTANBUL) – As Ban Ki moon struggles to patch up relations between Israel and Turkey following the raid on a Turkish aid ship by the Israeli Defense Forces, a Turkish film company has decided to rock the boat, so to speak. Passions on both sides are likely to be inflamed by a new film portraying a Turkish agent exacting revenge on the Israeli troops who carried out the May 31 raid.

A trailer for the movie, Valley of the Wolves: Palestine, was released this week ahead of the film’s opening across Turkey starting January 28. It has been received by the Israel press as another example of mounting anti-Semitism in Turkey. The trailer opens with scenes of Turkish aid activists on the Mavi Marmara sailing toward the Gaza strip as Israeli special forces mount the ship and proceed to shoot passengers. The movie focuses on a secret operation by a Turkish hit squad — led by a Turkish agent named Polet Alemdar, a kind of Rambo of the Islamic world — as they travel to Israel to hunt down and carry out bloody reprisals against those responsible for the killings.

The film – the third in a series of a big budget Valley of the Wolves blockbuster flicks produced in Turkey — provides a portrayal of Turkey’s clandestine operatives as a fierce band of assassins whose deadly deeds have earned them even the respect of the menacing Israeli security forces. One Israel official cautions a colleague that “this team is a special Turkish squad. Let’s take this a bit more seriously, please.”

The film’s hero, played by the Turkish film star, Necati Sasmaz, is openly defiant of Israeli authorities as he leads his team on a series of bloody strikes on Israeli targets, shooting up Israeli ground troops and blowing up Israeli helicopters. “Why did you come to Israel,” an Israeli soldier asks Alemdar at a checkpoint. “I did not come to Israel I came to Palestine.”

The films’ producers courted controversy in 2006 with the release of a Valley of the Wolves movie set in Iraq and depicting the U.S. military as hair-trigger aggressors. That film cost over $10 million to make, more than any previous Turkish film, and was a hit at the box office. It included a performance by American actor Gary Busey, who played a Jewish-American doctor who harvested prisoners’ organ for resale to rich clients in the United States.

via Turkey’s Rambo Takes on Israel – Salem-News.Com.

November 15, 2010