Turkish film festival opens in Rome

ROME – Doğan News Agency

Actress Hümeyra and actor Mehmet Günsur attend a press conference. AA Photo

The 4th Turkish Film Festival, organized in the Italian capital of Rome, opened on April 16 with a gala event. Veteran singer and actress Hümeyra was presented with the Honorary Award at the opening.

Before the opening of the festival, Turkish director and honorary president of the festival Ferzan Özpetek, who lives in Italy, held a press conference with the attendance of Çağan Irmak, the director of the opening film “Unutursam Fısılda” (Whisper If I Forget), actor Mehmet Günsur and Hümeyra, as well as the Turkish ambassador to Rome, Aydın Sezgin.

“The Rome Turkish Film Festival project that we initiated in 2011 became very successful and turned into a requested event as the number of viewers increased. We are proud of the position of Turkish cinema and we will work to organize the festival in other Italian cities,” said the ambassador Sezgin.

When asked if there are any restrictions on thematic films in Turkey, director Özpetek replied, “I don’t put a thematic element in my films. I tell everything in life. I guess you mean homosexuality.” But when the press member said he meant “thought-provoking” films, Özpetek said, “No, I don’t have any problem about it in Turkey. On the contrary, I will make my next film in Istanbul in September. My first two films were made in Turkey and drew great interest. It makes me very happy. All my films were shown with subtitles in Turkey.”

Director Irmak said Özpetel’s films were a bridge between the two countries and they did not have an identity. “Ferzan is a real world citizen, regardless of all his identities,” he added.

The festival will continue until April 19 at the Barberini Movie Theaters.