9TH BOSPHORUS FILM FESTIVAL HAS KICKED OFF

9th Bosphorus Film Festival has kicked off with the opening ceremony at Atlas 1948 Cinema and the screening of Danis Tanovic’s film “Not So Friendly Neighborhood Affair”.

9TH BOSPHORUS FILM FESTIVAL HAS KICKED OFF

With the contribution of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism Cinema General Directorate, official partnership of TRT, support of Global Communications Partner Anadolu Agency, official hosting of Beyoğlu Municipality and organized by the Bosphorus Culture and Arts Foundation, the 9th Bosphorus Film Festival's opening ceremony has been held. The festival program has been introduced and the festival's Artistic Director Emrah Kılıç gave a speech. Kılıç expressed that they brought together an effective program for international participants and cinemagoers in relatively eased conditions after the pandemic and concluded his speech by thanking all partners and sponsors that have give support to the festival.

The Mayor of Beyoğlu Haydar Ali Yıldız pointed out that Beyoğlu is the heart of cinema and stated that “It is pleasing to have reached the 9th edition of a festival that keeps on renewing itself. We will continue to put in as much as we can for Turkish cinema.”

In his speech, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Ahmet Misbah Demircan talked about the importance of cinema in cultural transmission. Misbah stated that their Ministry will continue to support the actors of the cinema sector along with the Cinema General Directorate carrying on his words as “Cinema is an art in which two eyes see but it is the essence that soaks it all in. Stories of life and people that are reflected on the silver screen are also the echos we each feel in our hearts. Because cinema is diversified. In previous years, Bosphorus Film Festival carried out many successful projects with its international network. Today, again with great excitement, it will bring together cinemagoers in Istanbul with various films from all around the world for one week. I congratulate everyone who contributed.”

Honorary Award For Danis Tanovic

“Honorary Award” was given to Oscar winning Bosnian director Danis Tanovic after the speeches were made.

Tanovic received the award from Bosphorus Film Festival and Bosphorus Culture and Arts Foundation President Ogün Şanlıer. Şanlıer expressed their honor for hosting Danis Tanovic at the Bosphorus Film Festival, who is one of the greatest representatives of new-wave cinema with his narrative strongly tied with the history of the society he lives in, current issues, culture and most importantly social memory.

Given the Honorary Award at the festival, Danis Tanovic expressed his happiness about being in Istanbul and said that “My film, which will be screened tonight, is a co-production with TRT. I thank TRT for all their support. It includes some local humor which might be a little hard to understand, but in the end I hope the intended message reaches you.”

After the speeches and award ceremony, Danis Tanovic’s Not So Friendly Neighbourhood Affair, was screened as the opening film. The night was hosted by Ezgi Aşık.

“Time of Impatience” Film Crew Met With Audiences

The film “Time of Impatience” was screened today at the 9th Bosphorus Film Festival's National Feature Competition at Atlas 1948 Cinema with the participation of the film crew.

A Q&A session took place after the screening of the film with moderator Rıza Oylum and the participation of producer Feyzi Baran, director Aydın Orak, casts Rıza Sönmez, child actors Mirza Zarg and Mirhat Zarg, Ali Seçkiner Alıcı and Feride Çetin. Director Aydın Orak talked about the process of the film saying that “This story goes 15 years back. I started off with a picture. I saw a couple of kids trying to get into the pool of a residence. It had to wait 15 years to evolve. I had trouble deciding what to do. The script started to take shape in the last five years. We shot the film before the pandemic. We had a long course of time during the pandemic for editing. The film had its first screening last week in Warsaw. Here, it will have its first screening in Turkey.

Actress Feride Çetin identified the film as a Diyarbakır film and that it had been a long time since a film this good was made about a city, so she thought it would be valued greatly in theatres.

Actor Ali Seçkiner Alıcı on the other hand talked about the significance of the film saying that “The most important part of the film for me is that it is about unity, I care about this a lot. I wish to see more examples of it.”

October 24 Festival Program

On the second day of the 9th Bosphorus Film Festival, film screenings for the National Feature Competition and International Feature Competition along with a Masterclass event of Bosnian director Danis Tanovic will be held.

The Oscar winning Bosnian director Danis Tanovic will meet with cinemagoers for the “Masterclass: Danis Tanovic” event at Atlas 1948 Cinema at 2 p.m. Screenings for Ahmet Toklu’s “The Hoop” will be at 4 p.m., Ferit Karahan’s “Brother’s Keeper” will be at 6:30 p.m. and Semih Kaplanoğlu’s “Commitment Hasan” will be at 9 p.m.

At Kadıköy Cinema, cinemagoers will be able to watch Wei Shujun’s “Ripples Of Life” at 1 p.m., Chema Garcia Ibarra’s “The Sacred Spirit” at 4 p.m., Han Shuai’s “Summer Blur” at 6:30 p.m. and Kiro Russo’s “The Great Movement” at 9.pm. sessions.

Tickets Are On Mobilet!

Screenings of the 7-day Bosphorus Film Festival will be held physically at Atlas 1948 and Kadıköy cinemas.

Festival tickets for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. screenings are 10 TL, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. screenings are 15 TL. Short film screenings are 5 TL. Tickets could be purchased on mobilet.com or at the box office at Atlas 1948 and Kadıköy cinemas during the festival.

Important Notice on Covid-19 Restrictions

As of September 6, 2021 Monday entries into events including concerts, cinemas, theaters, and crowded events will require a negative PCR test taken 48 hours prior to the event for persons who are unvaccinated. Managers/organizers will be required to examine HES code for vaccination/contracted disease (scientifically accepted post-Covid­19 immunity period) or a negative PCR test taken 48 hours prior to the event at the entrance. Individuals who have not contracted the disease, have not been vaccinated, or do not show a negative PCR test will not be allowed to participate in the event.