Documentary on Sevan Bıçakçı comes to screen

ISTANBUL

The gala for “Sevan the Craftsman: Breathing Istanbul Into Jewels,” a new documentary telling the story of Sevan Bıçakçı, a maestro whose skill of transforming precious metals and gems into majestic works of art, will be organized on Nov. 3 at Kadir Has University’s Cibali Campus in Istanbul’s Balat neighborhood.

Born into an impoverished family from Istanbul’s Armenian community, Bıçakçı’s story begins at age 12. He was an apprentice in the city’s most famous and most demanding school for artisans: The Grand Bazaar.

Now, 33 years into his profession, he is widely considered the world’s real-life lord of the rings.

His first personal collection that he created in 2002 was inspired by the historical Grand Bazaar in the Sultanahmet area where he spends a considerable part of his daily life.

Since then, his unique designs that require intensive craftsmanship have attracted the attention of collectors as well as distinguished stores. A wider range of the designer’s collections are on display in his boutique located in Istanbul.

The feature-length documentary takes a peek into Sevan’s personal and professional journey on the path to becoming an artist of global renown by designing and crafting an emerald-topped ring.

Containing re-enactments of Bıçakçı’s childhood, the film tells his story through the voices of his family, fellow professionals, colleagues and friends.

The film contrasts the artist’s rise from rampant poverty to becoming a creator of art worth millions, and eagerly sought by the world’s rich, famous and powerful.

It is also a film about the disappearing master-apprentice tradition and the changing city of Istanbul. At the same time, it is about the city’s multicultural history and the richness brought to it by its diverse people.

Directed by Umran Safter, the documentary will also be screened with English subtitles on Nov. 11 at Ankara’s CerModern.