Berivan film, banned in Turkey but presented at Cannes
Berivan film, banned in Turkey but presented at Cannes
The "Berivan / An Epic of Revolt" documentary film by Aydýn Orak, which wasn’t allowed for distribution in Turkey by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was exhibited in the representation of Turkey on Turkey's stand at the Cannes Film Festival. The Ministry of Culture announced that the film doesn’t represented Turkey but the film's director Aydýn Orak contradicted the Ministry, saying; “The presentation and information of the film was given in the first page of the catalogue designed for Turkey.”
FIRST EXHIBITED, THEN DENIED BY THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE
Banning the documentary film, the Ministry of Culture exhibited Berivan at the stand opened to introduce Turkish films at one of the world's most prestigious festivals, Cannes Film Festival. Following the denial of the news in press and media organs, the Ministry of Culture made a statement this week and said that it's not even a matter of discussion that Turkey is represented by that documentary at the Festival.
The statement of the Ministry said; “The 1st April dated unanimous decision of the Evaluation and Classification Board, which consists of sector representatives, university faculty members and officials from the Ministry, is as follows; ‘The documentary film was unanimously not found appropriate for commercial availability and representation for containing components that distort historical events to affect the public order adversely; commove grudge, hate and hostility in the society and spreads PKK propaganda to disrupt the unity and solidarity of the Turkish nation’. In compliance with international conventions, it is not possible for the board to make any other decision regarding the display of the film at festivals.”
CATALOGUE CONTRADICT THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE
Speaking to ANF about the situation at Cannes Film Festival, the process of its prohibition in Turkey and its consequences, director Aydýn Orak said the followings; "The Turkish Ministry of Culture opens a stand at Cannes Film Festival each year, which exhibits the films, documentary and short films shot in Turkey during the year. However, the Ministry of Culture denies that Berivan appeared in Turkey’s this year’s catalog as it doesn’t represent the country. There is no sense in denying the truth that Bêrîvan's presentation and information was given on the first page of the catalog.”
WHY THE FILM WAS PROHIBITED
Speaking about the process when the film was banned by the Ministry, Orak said; “The film was shown at the 30th International Istanbul Film Festival as well as in many European countries. The film was going to be opened in Turkey after Istanbul Film Festival. We also applied to the Ministry of Culture for the document of production operation.”
According to Orak, the film was banned for ‘distorting historical events’, ‘commoving grudge, hate and hostility in the society’, ‘disrupting the unity and solidarity of the Turkish nation’ and ‘containing components that make propaganda for the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party).”
YOU CANNOT REVERSE THE HISTORY
“I never understood where the need to ban a film arises from. On one side, you are banning a film; on the other side, you are representing it in Europe. Banned inside, unconstrained outside! I wonder if you are trying to appear democrat and progressive to Europe, hiding how repressive and reactionary you are inside.
I hope that the Ministry of Culture will withdraw its decision to ban the film which needs to be embraced in Turkey as well for representing the country at the Cannes Film Festival.
You cannot reverse the history. There is no need to be afraid of this film which tells a real event with real scenes and witnesses. Turkey has to face the slaughters it made, if it will be a normal country.”
FILM CONSISTS OF REAL IMAGES
"Bêrîvan, Destaneke Serhildanê”, which was fictionalized with real images of the bloody repression during Newroz celebrations in Cizre town of Þýrnak in 1992, at the same time tells the story of 17-year-old Bêrîvan's struggle. Orak said the followings regarding the film; “It is about the Cizre Newroz in 1992. It documents the massacre carried out by the state in Cizre where security forces slaughtered 17 people. The film consists of real images of this slaughter and not even a single fictional dialogue or screen. All images are real."
Berivan has so far been released in more than 10 European countries as well as at the 30th International Istanbul Film Festival.
Translation: Deniz Firat
FIRST EXHIBITED, THEN DENIED BY THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE
Banning the documentary film, the Ministry of Culture exhibited Berivan at the stand opened to introduce Turkish films at one of the world's most prestigious festivals, Cannes Film Festival. Following the denial of the news in press and media organs, the Ministry of Culture made a statement this week and said that it's not even a matter of discussion that Turkey is represented by that documentary at the Festival.
The statement of the Ministry said; “The 1st April dated unanimous decision of the Evaluation and Classification Board, which consists of sector representatives, university faculty members and officials from the Ministry, is as follows; ‘The documentary film was unanimously not found appropriate for commercial availability and representation for containing components that distort historical events to affect the public order adversely; commove grudge, hate and hostility in the society and spreads PKK propaganda to disrupt the unity and solidarity of the Turkish nation’. In compliance with international conventions, it is not possible for the board to make any other decision regarding the display of the film at festivals.”
CATALOGUE CONTRADICT THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE
Speaking to ANF about the situation at Cannes Film Festival, the process of its prohibition in Turkey and its consequences, director Aydýn Orak said the followings; "The Turkish Ministry of Culture opens a stand at Cannes Film Festival each year, which exhibits the films, documentary and short films shot in Turkey during the year. However, the Ministry of Culture denies that Berivan appeared in Turkey’s this year’s catalog as it doesn’t represent the country. There is no sense in denying the truth that Bêrîvan's presentation and information was given on the first page of the catalog.”
WHY THE FILM WAS PROHIBITED
Speaking about the process when the film was banned by the Ministry, Orak said; “The film was shown at the 30th International Istanbul Film Festival as well as in many European countries. The film was going to be opened in Turkey after Istanbul Film Festival. We also applied to the Ministry of Culture for the document of production operation.”
According to Orak, the film was banned for ‘distorting historical events’, ‘commoving grudge, hate and hostility in the society’, ‘disrupting the unity and solidarity of the Turkish nation’ and ‘containing components that make propaganda for the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party).”
YOU CANNOT REVERSE THE HISTORY
“I never understood where the need to ban a film arises from. On one side, you are banning a film; on the other side, you are representing it in Europe. Banned inside, unconstrained outside! I wonder if you are trying to appear democrat and progressive to Europe, hiding how repressive and reactionary you are inside.
I hope that the Ministry of Culture will withdraw its decision to ban the film which needs to be embraced in Turkey as well for representing the country at the Cannes Film Festival.
You cannot reverse the history. There is no need to be afraid of this film which tells a real event with real scenes and witnesses. Turkey has to face the slaughters it made, if it will be a normal country.”
FILM CONSISTS OF REAL IMAGES
"Bêrîvan, Destaneke Serhildanê”, which was fictionalized with real images of the bloody repression during Newroz celebrations in Cizre town of Þýrnak in 1992, at the same time tells the story of 17-year-old Bêrîvan's struggle. Orak said the followings regarding the film; “It is about the Cizre Newroz in 1992. It documents the massacre carried out by the state in Cizre where security forces slaughtered 17 people. The film consists of real images of this slaughter and not even a single fictional dialogue or screen. All images are real."
Berivan has so far been released in more than 10 European countries as well as at the 30th International Istanbul Film Festival.
Translation: Deniz Firat
