Turkish director Ferzan Özpetek presents his 10th film in Rome

ROME - Anadolu Agency

(L to R) Francesco Arca, Kasia Smutniak and Ferzan Özpetek are seen in the screening of the film ‘Fasten Your Seatbelts,’ which will be released March 6. DHA Photo

Turkish director Ferzan Özpetek, who has been living in Rome for many years, has launched his 10th film in the city.

Özpetek is the director of many hit films, such as “Il Bagno Turco” (The Turkish Bath), “Harem Suare,” “La Finestra di fronte” (Facing Windows), “Saturno Contro” (Saturn in Opposition), “Mine Vaganti“ (Loose Cannons) and many more. His 10th film, “Allacciate le Cinture” (Fasten Your Seatbelts), which he wrote the script for and directed, was launched at a press screening in Rome’s Teatro Adriano.
Besides Özpetek, the film’s stars Kasia Smutniak, Francesco Arca, Filippo Scicchitano, Carolina Crescentini and producers Gianni Romoli and Tilde Corsi were present in the event.

“It is very hard for a person to be pleased with his own film, but I am pleased,” said Özpetek, speaking to Turkish press members. He noted that Italian audiences wanted to see comedy films, adding, “The film makes you cry. It makes you excited. When talking to the promotion company here, they told us to delete these scenes and only show the comedic parts. But now we are all happy. Everyone asked for a comedy, but I did not do it.” He said there was a Turkish and Kurdish song featured in the film.

The film was set to be released in Italy on March 6 and would be released in Turkey right afterward, said Özpetek, adding his 112th film would be made in Turkey. “I want to make my next film in Istanbul. Actually, I want to make it in Turkey. It is time for it.”

In the film, Elena and Antonio are total opposites, but find themselves overwhelmed by a mutual attraction that they should avoid and a sudden storm of passion changes all of the rules of the game of their relationships. However, this will not be the only turbulence in Elena’s life.