“Anatolian Leopard” Film Crew Met With Audiences At The 9th Bosphorus Film Festival

Film crew of Anatolian Leopard competing in the 9th Bosphorus Film Festival’s National Feature Competition participated in a Q&A session after the screening.

“Anatolian Leopard” Film Crew Met With Audiences At The 9th Bosphorus Film Festival

Selected for the National Feature Competition, the screening of Anatolian Leopard took place on Monday, October 25 at Atlas 1948 Cinema. A Q&A session was held with the crew after the screening,

Anatolian Leopard is about the story of Fikret, who has worked as a zoo manager for 22 years, trying to prevent the zoo from closing down and becoming an entertainment center, with his commitment towards an Anatolian Leopard. The Q&A session of the film took place with the participation of director Emre Kayiş, casts Uğur Polat and İpek Türktan, producer Olena Yershova Yıldız and executive producer Büke Akşehirli. The event was moderated by film critic Gökşen Aydemir.

The first question was about the writing process and making of the film, and Emre Kayiş pointed out they had been working on it since 2015. Kayiş said the financial issues were completed two and a half years after the screenwriting process, and added that filming was finished before the pandemic. On being asked why he chose Ankara as the location, he said he was familiar with the city and that it had an incomplete and unfinished atmosphere just like the characters in the film.

Uğur Polat explained why he accepted the project after being asked and stated that “The inertia of the story and characters fascinated me. I am also from Ankara and I spent my childhood there. Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo are special locations for me.” Polat once again talked about spending his childhood there and that he was affected by the scenes in the script before they were even shot.

When asked about the locations in the film, Emre Kayiş said it was one of the most important elements, and that changing architecture caused the traditional ones to eradicate. When choosing the locations, the director said they wanted a Kafkaesque atmosphere to fit the story, and that this process was an adventurous one. Kayiş added he would not be able to work in a location he did not feel attached to.

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 partnership of Beyoğlu Municipality and organized by the Bosphorus Culture and Arts Foundation, the 9th Bosphorus Film Festival will be hosting significant names in the sector along with internationally acclaimed cinema porfessionals in Istanbul. Details and inquires on films, events and screenings could be reached on www.bogazicifilmfestivali.com and on social media accounts.

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, 6:30 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. According to the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health regulations, persons who have completed their final vaccinations in accordance with the vaccine schedule could attend events as of the 14th day of their final vaccination without taking a PCR test, those who have had Covid-19 could attend events in the following 180 days after their isolation process has ended without taking a PCR test. Those who have not had Covid-19 or vaccinations or a negative PCR test will not be allowed to participate in events.