Competing in the 9th Bosphorus Film Festival’s National Feature Competition, The Cage met with audiences for the first time in Istanbul. The screening of Cemil Ağacıkoğlu’s “The Cage” took place on the evening of Tuesday, October 26 at Atlas 1948 Cinema. After the screening, a Q&A session was held with the crew. Director Cemil Ağacıkoğlu, producer Sezgin Üstün San and actors Tarhan Karagöz, Murat Kılıç and Sonat Dursun participated in the event, which was moderated by academician and film critic Murat Tırpan.

The Cage is the story of a retired police officer Hasan, who starts working in a motel in the alleys of Istanbul after losing his job. His only hope is for justice to be served so he could return to his job. After the screening of The Cage, audiences attended the Q&A session and greeted the crew with applauses. Director Ağacıkoğlu introduced the crew and thanked the audience for watching the film.

When asked about the creation of the film, director Ağacıkoğlu indicated that he wanted to mention the concepts of justice and betrayal, and created himself a space to do so. The director also pointed out that the locations were part of his past, that he wanted in the film to use locations where his childhood took place and added, “I wanted to show how siblings even separate once interests are at stake.”

One of the lead actors Tarhan Karagöz was asked “What was it like to be in the cage?” and he replied saying that as an actor it was pleasing but once you put yourself in the character’s shoes it does not seem so pleasant. On the hopeless image of the character, Karagöz commented, “Hasan had a speckle of hope in his character. If he had not, he would have taken a totally different path, but the hope inside him was the cause of all his actions.”

Actor Murat Kılıç said, “Cemil Ağacıkoğlu’s perspective of life and his character allow him to be an emotional person. We have many things in common about resolutions in life. In terms of this, I think the characters he creates reflect excellently on the film,” and added that for him, the film meant scenes of people from his land.

The film’s producer Sezgin Üstün San expressed that she is content in meeting audiences after the pandemic that she felt very happy, and that they wanted to create a real world in this film. San said through the film, she learned the existence of the hotel, and ended her words by talking about their aim to convey natural characters to the audience and that seeing the success makes her glad.

Wednesday October 27 Festival Program

On the fifth day of the 9th Bosphorus Film Festival, film screenings for the National Feature Competition, National Short Fiction Competition and International Feature Competition will be held.

Screenings at Atlas 1948 Cinema will be Susana Nobre’s “Jack’s Ride”at 1 p.m., the National Short Fiction Competition screenings of “Same Night Different Blue”, ”Lifeline”, “Jülide”, “The Cold”, “High Altitude Or Awkwardness Of The Things ” at 4p.m., the National Short Fiction Competition screenings of “The Diamond Sea”, “Don’t Be Afraid Of Me”, “Cemile”, “Dissonance”, “Plastic Dream” at 6:30 p.m. and Kiro Russo’s “The Great Movement” at 9 p.m. sessions.

At Kadıköy Cinema, cinemagoers will be able to watch Cemil Ağacıkoğlu’s “The Cage” at 1 p.m., Sinan Sertel’s “The Hero In Me” at 4 p.m., Emre Kayiş’s “Anatolian Leopard” at 6:30 p.m. and Semih Kaplanoğlu’s “Commitment Hasan” at 9 p.m. sessions.

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.