Ataman’s ‘Kuzu’ goes home with top prize at Golden Oranges

ANTALYA

Director Kutluğ Ataman’s film ‘Kuzu’ won the top prize at the Golden Orange Film Festival this year.

Kutluğ Ataman’s “Kuzu” (The Lamb) was the big winner at the 51st International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, picking up the best film award at the closing ceremony of Turkey’s premier film competition.

Nesrin Cavadzade, who plays the character Medine in the film, won the best actress award, two years after receiving another award at the Golden Orange.

The best actor honor was shared between Serkan Keskin and Feyyaz Duman. Keskin won for his performance in “İtirazım Var” (Let’s Sin) while Duman won the award for his role in “Annemin Şarkısı” (My Mother’s Song).

“I dedicate this award to all children of the Sinjar Mountain, who were left to die of thirst under 45-50 Celsius degrees, which is the worst way of dying in the world,” said Keskin in reference to the August attack by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on Yazidi settlements near Sinjar (also known as Şengal), prompting tens of thousands to flee to Sinjar Mountain, where many succumbed to the elements.

The best supporting actress award went to Nursel Köse for her performance in “Kuzu,” and the best supporting actor award was given to Aziz Çapkurt for his role in “Annemin Şarkısı.”

“Today many peoples and faiths in Kobane are struggling to build their own free future. This is why Kobane is not only a name in geography but it is, at the same time, an idea and ideas do not fall. I greet all of you as a filmmaker of the world and Turkey,” said Çapkurt.

This year the best director award of the festival was presented to Onur Ünlü for “İtirazım Var.” The national feature film award was shared by “Oflu Hocayı Aramak” (O.H.A) and “Sivas,” which has already attracted international plaudits.

The festival also presented a special award to world-famous action star Jean Claude Van Damme, who was the guest of the ceremony. Antalya Mayor Menderes Türel presented the award to Belgian star, who said he had previously been to Istanbul and made a film there before expressing his gratitude to all assembled.

Veteran actress Hülya Koçyiğit was given a painting of the festival’s poster by the director of the festival, Elif Dağdeviren.

The Behlül Dal Special Jury Prize was given to Doğan İzci for his role in “Sivas,” as well as Sıla Lara Cantürk and Mert Taştan for their role in “Kuzu.”

SİYAD Awards

The Cinema Writers Association (SİYAD) National Feature Film Award was presented to Ataman’s “Kuzu” while the SİYAD International Feature Film Award went to Chaitanya Tamhane’s “Court.”

Nazlı Eda Noyan and Dağhan Celayir’s “Bir Fincan Türk Kahvesi” (A Cup of Turkish Coffee) won the best short film award at the event.

Hungarian director Kornel Mundruczo’s “White God” won the international competition audience award as Ayhan Sonyürek’s “İyi Biri” (A Good Fellow) won the national competition audience award.

Ömer Uğur won the best director award given by the Film Directors Association for his film “Guruldayan Kapler” (Rumbling Hearts). At the same time, director Ertem Göreç, who came to the stage to present the award, criticized abusive language in films.

The lifetime achievement award of the festival was presented to legendary Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, who also presented Ataman with the award for best film.