Ten Women and Türkan Şoray
Restored by Atlas Post Production in collaboration with Zurich Sigorta, the screening of Ten Women (1987) took place in attendance with star Türkan Şoray, who portrays the women in the film. Directed by Şerif Gören, one of the distinctive directors of Turkish Cinema, the film screened as part of the Turkish Classics Revisited section. Before the screening, Türkan Şoray said that the perspective towards women has not changed since the film was made. She added: “We started out to portray ten women and we were able to portray nine. The tenth woman is me, you, all our women.”
For the high resolution photos from the screening of Ten Women in attendance with star Türkan Şoray click here.
We are never that innocent: Genesis
Genesis, the latest film by Canadian director Philippe Lesage, who is a jury member at this year’s International Competition, is a coming of age story about the confusion and heartbreak the two siblings go through in the face of first love. After the screening, Lesage, whose film The Demons competed at the Festival in 2016, answered audience questions.
Is the film about the loss of innocence?
I wouldn’t say that because even when we’re little we’re not that innocent. We are talking about young people who are passionate, not afraid of love, and not calculated, and that’s what I really respect.
What we learn from the characters is not to be afraid of loving and being truthful to yourself and to others. As an adult, I can derive such a lesson. Regardless of how cruel the world is and how much they want to punish us, we have to find the courage to love. This young heart of ours should keep beating.
Why are there two different stories?
There are several reasons for that, but mainly I thought that going back to an early age with the second story would be very interesting. I wanted to go back to that time when holding hands was both the end of the world and the beginning of everything to us. I know it’s a radical ending, but you can interpret it any way you like. You can think of that part as a poem at the end of the film or a coda in music or the fantasy of the characters of the first part. I leave it up to the audience.
Why Genesis?
Genesis means “origin, beginning” in English. I want to answer this with a song lyric by Leonard Cohen, who is also from Montreal: “Love is the only engine of survival.” It’s all about love. Love makes the world go round. As a romantic realist that’s what I think.
As a romantic realist do you think there is such a thing as everlasting love?
There could be. Love changes and transforms. The film transformed into something different at the end. Both of the characters in the film are very strong. I want to talk about Charlotte in particular because it’s obvious that Guillaume will survive somehow. Charlotte on the other end is a very strong character who knows what to do and manages to survive one way or another despite the pressure put on her by the men in her life. The actress who plays Charlotte says that she learned a lot from her and thinks “what would Charlotte do?” in real life. The film criticizes men. I criticize myself about this as well. Men constantly try to push down the women around them. I tried to show that in the film.
For further information about the film click here.
Yoksunluk üstüne: Vahşi
Camille Vidal-Naquet’s feature debut Sauvage, which premiered at the Critics’ Week section of Cannes, takes a candid and non-judgmental look at 22-year-old sex worker Leo’s longing to find love. After the screening, lead actor Félix Maritaud (A Knife in the Heart, 120 BPM) answered audience questions.
What does it feel like touching a body you don’t desire? When you accepted this role, did you think you have anything common with the character?
You accept everything and everyone outside of that body and flesh. So, you think that those bodies and flesh are your work tools. It’s not about privacy. You see them as your work tools. I actually have a lot in common with the character. It’s like an outpouring of many emotions and characteristics, but mainly that taste or longing for freedom.
Are any of the stories based on real life?
In the past, the director had worked for some charitable foundations that help sex workers. He had written the script first, but then realized it was disconnected with reality. He returned to those groups and worked with them for 3 years helping people. That’s why you’ve seen a documentary-like film. The only fictional character is mine.
How to did you prepare for the role?
We basically worked on the body. In a manner of speaking we created a body landscape. I took modern dance lessons from a choreographer. As we formed the material we created a vibration. I’ve no idea about the past or the future of the character. I only know of the moments in the film and I know that it’s completely alive, that’s all.
For further information about the film click here.
Tomorrow at the festival:
Panel Discussion / Factory of Masterpieces: Kubrick
The Istanbul Film Festival will celebrate the talent and legacy of one of the most influential filmmakers of the world, Stanley Kubrick, in the 20th anniversary of his death, presenting his complete feature-length filmography. From his first feature Fear and Desire the distribution of which he had tried to stop, to Eyes Wide Shut, his last film before his untimely death, all his 13 feature-length films are presented within this retrospective. As a source of inspiration to many contemporary filmmakers, Stanley Kubrick has made his mark in cinema history as a master director and genius. He is well known for his meticulousness, sternness on set, perfectionism, uncompromising creative command, the importance he placed on technological developments and his originality, all of which has resulted in spectacular movies. His technical prowess, ideals, and creative genius will be discussed at this panel.
Speakers: Kutlukhan Kutlu, Ahmet Rıfat Şungar, Natali Yeres
Moderator: Ali Deniz Şensöz
*Talks will be translated into English.
Friday, 12 April, Free Admission
Boğaziçi University Mithat Alam Film Center, South Campus, Bebek
For the special video for Factory of Masterpieces: Kubrick section click here.
Daily Film Selection:
Keep an Eye Out | 13.30 | Rexx movie theatre
In Between | 21.30 | Beyoğlu movie theatre
Daily Documentary Selection:
Piazzolla: The Years of the Shark | 11.00 | Cinemaximum Zorlu Center
Our Defeats | 19.00 | Pera Museum Auditorium
Festival in Photos
See daily photos from the festival at http://www.iksvphoto.com/#/folder/aa602o and on our Instagram account.
Images courtesy of IKSV.
