The International Antalya Film Festival just opened for its 54th season on October 22, 2017. The festival began with its spectacular traditional cortege; now considered to be one of the most important components of the event. The cortege was created to gather together people from Antalya with the famous film stars and figures who have developed the film and television industry in Turkey.
This year, the cortege began at the Antalya Glass Pyramid and ended at Fevzi Çakmak Street. It included 20 classical automobiles, a marching band, lorries, DJs, tour buses, special festival cars, mascots representing Turkish film industry figures, people from Antalya and its province, and dozens of celebrities. Famous stars then followed the festival red carpet to the gala opening ceremony. All the traditional pageantry was focused on strengthening the presence of the Turkish film industry internationally.
The Honorary Awards launched the opening ceremony. Nihan Günay and Cem Öğretir served as masters-of-ceremony, while various dignitaries presented the awards before an audience filled with film stars, government officials and the citizens of Antalya. The honorees included:
- Osman Sinav, Producer and Director, credited with 30 years of remarkable Turkish television and film works
- Suzan Avci, actress and Turkish cinema “vamp” whose credits include appearances in 367 movies
- Necla Nazir, the 1973 Miss Cinema, and with 90 films to her credit
Necla Nazir dedicated her award to the families and martyrs of the July 15 coup attempt which killed 265 people.
Christopher Walken and Juliette Lewis were honored at the festival, as well. Walken was presented the Honorary Golden Orange Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Art of Film, and Antalya Mayor Menderes Türel presented Lewis with the keys to the city.
The five decades of the film festival have been traditionally marked with a focus on showcasing the highest quality films in Turkey, while encouraging ties to the international film community. The Antaly fest is considered the most prominent event of its kind in Turkey. This year, British producer Mike Downey was hired as the artistic director. For traditionalists, this raised concerns about the ability of the event to maintain its strong Turkish identity. But for others, the move has been viewed as a positive step in the process of driving of excellence in the Turkish film industry.
This year’s festival opens with Bosnian director Aida Begic’s film about a refugee camp in Turkey. “Never Leave me”, inspired by the experiences of orphans of the Syrian war, will receive its world premiere. There are other films which also have themes concerning the current crisis of refugees. “The Guest” presented by the Turkish director Andac Hanedaroglu, “Ugly Duckling” directed by a first-time festival entrant Ender Ozkahraman, “Human Flow” submitted by Chinese director Ai Weiwei, and “The Other Side of Hope” by Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki.
International entrants include “Redoubtable” by the French director Michel Hazanavicius, “April’s Daughter” by Mexican director Michel Franco, “Scary Mother” by Georgian Ana Urushadze in her directorial debut, “Angels Wear White” by Chinese director Vivian Qu, “Loving Vincent” by co-directors Hugh Welchman from the U.K. and Dorota Kobiela from Poland; “Radiance” by Japanese Naomi Kawase, and “a Man of Integrity” by Iranian Mohammad Rasoulof.
Festival goers come to the festival to experience the prestigious event. It’s become a highlight of the culture and arts of Turkey. Since 1963, when it was first organized by the Antalya Culture and Art Foundation, the beautiful city has drawn avid film buffs to enjoy the festival and experience this city by the sea. In the past, the festival was known as the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, due to the famous oranges from Antalya Province.
It seems natural that a brand new culinary section will be launched this year, where a top chef will make a meal inspired by each film screening. It’s called Cinema and Cuisine, and the audience will enjoy the tasty offerings of each chef concluding each film. The films are culinary documentaries.
Rounding out the offerings this year are a Meet the Masters masterclass by Danis Tanovic and a mini-retro bout Turkish director Omer Lutfi Akad. All in all, the Antaly Film Festival continues to meet its long-established goal of promoting Turkish film talents while embracing its newly revamped international profile.
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