Istanbul Modern Cinema to mark Museum Day

ISTANBUL

The Istanbul Modern Cinema is offering a selection of films set in museums to mark International Museum Day, which is celebrated every year on May 18. 

One of the films in the program is “Russian Ark” directed by Alexander Sokurov, one of the most inventive directors of Russian cinema in recent years. Shot in a single long-take, the film recalls the idea that there is no difference between documentary and fiction. 

Another film selected for screening is Jules Dassin’s “Topkapı” (1964). In the film starring Melina Mercouri and Peter Ustinov, an international gang of thieves plan a robbery to steal a precious dagger from the Topkapı Palace Museum in Istanbul. 

Directed by Jem Cohen, the documentary titled “Museum Hours” focuses on the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, which has been welcoming art-lovers since 1891.

Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen and Nicole Newnham’s “The Rape of Europa,” Matthew Akers and Jeff Dupre’s “Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present,” Frederick Wiseman’s “National Gallery” and Oeke Hoogendijk’s “The New Rijksmuseum – The Film” are among the other films in the program.