Speaking at a conference in the 2nd Nar Film Festival, filmmaker Kazým Öz has commented that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government is no different from the former governments in terms of assimilation policies against the Kurds.

“Special assimilation impositions have increased under the AKP government. Yet, art will always be able to express itself freely however oppressive the regimes are. Iranian cinema is a good example of this,” said Öz.

Also speaking in the panel, journalist Mustafa Kara has emphasized the opposition of cinema against oppresive states and the possibility of the survival of different cultures via social struggle.