Nuri Bilge Ceylan's Palme d’Or winner makes its Turkish gala

ISTANBUL

Actresses Melisa Sözen (L) and Demet Akbağ pose at the gala night.

Director Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Palme d’Or Award winning film “Kış Uykusu” (Winter Sleep) made its gala on June 12 at Kanyon Shopping Mall, with the attendence of many renowned figures from the Turkish cinema scene.

Speaking about the award, one of the stars of the film, actor Haluk Bilginer expressed his reaction to the 67th Cannes Film Festival Award ceremony not being broadcast live on Turkish television. ”I was not present at the award ceremony but in the gala at Cannes. It was magnificent. I watched the award ceremony on the Internet because the TV channels did not broadcast it. But the Internet was cut. I could not see that we won the Palme d’Or Award. I learned it through SMS messages. Media did not announce that we won the award,” he said.

Actress Demet Akbağ said the film won the award during the days of the Soma mining disaster, adding, “We went through bad days. We still do. This award was like a breath of fresh air for us. I guess the film was released earlier than it scheduled because of this award and its success. Viewers are very curious about the film. I hope they like it.”

Another starring actress in the film, Melisa Sözen said after the Cannes success, they would pass the second test.

“Winter Sleep,” which also won the FIPRESCI Award at the festival, relates the story of Aydın (Bilginer), a former actor who now runs a mountaintop hotel, and is dealing with his failing marriage. The film was released in 1,123 movie theaters and 39 cities.