Monday, Apr 9, 2007
Saturday, April 7, 2007
The Büyüktürkoðlu family, who own the film production company uniCvisions in Los Angeles, figured that the best way to work on the Turkish image was the same way it had been damaged in the U.S.: film!
ELÝF ÖZMENEK
Over the last three months, the diplomacy traffic of Ankara to prevent the Armenian Genocide Resolution to pass in the Congress drew many parliamentarians, businessmen and politicians to New York and Washington D.C. As a journalist who has been living in the U.S. more than 10 years now, it was interesting but not shocking to hear that every single one of them diagnosed and verbalized the same problem that they saw in Washington: “Turkey is still very little known in the U.S.”Since Turkish-American relations are not at the best level, Ankara now more than ever feels the need for good publicity in the U.S. Awaiting the Armenian Resolution in the House of Representatives, Turkey's ignored demands on Kirkuk referendum, continuing isolation of Northern Cyprus, still passive White House on PKK terror: all these issues that are very important for Turkey can only be brought up in Washington if and only if more politicians take an interest in Turkey.
Enough with Turks as bad guys:
Leslie Bates-Büyüktürkoðlu, President and CEO of uniCvisions, is very well aware of the lack Turkey's public image in this country as a Turkish-American. Bates has an interesting idea to improve the Turkish image in the U.S. Leslie Bates- Büyüktürkoðlu and her husband-partner, Aclan Büyüktürkoðlu who own the film production company uniCvisions in Los Angeles figured that the best way to work on the Turkish image was the same way it had been damaged in the U.S.: film. “It is about time Turks are shown in positive roles as the main characters, not just secondary and bad-guy roles. It is obvious that until Turks are seen as the good-guys – or at least normal people – no one would listen to them on any issue, let alone the Armenian tragedy” Bates says reminding us the effects of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding in the U.S. With this goal in mind uniCvisions has put together a slate of films including a romance, an action thriller, and an epic, all aimed at methodically improving the Turkish image. The first film, Broken Angel, will be shot in Los Angeles, with mostly Turkish actors in all of the major roles starting May 14, to be released during the summer around the world.
Enter Broken Angel:
Adapted from the novel, Rüzgarlý Þehir (Windy City) by Tülay Pýrlant, Broken Angel is the story of a Turkish girl (played by Nehir Erdoðan) who comes to the United States looking for the life she saw on TV, only to find the reality is far different and deadlier. Her only true friend is the only person who doesn't need language to communicate, a deaf artist. uniCvisions' prophecy does not end here. Bates says “many big businesses such as Coca Cola and Nike give back to their community through charitable contributions and programs, uniCvisions can too.” For this purpose uniCvisions chose the Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF) as the recipient, enabling them to give back to Turkey. The BTF, established in 2003 as a philanthropic bridge between the United States and Turkey, raises funds from the Turkish-American community which they use for regular charitable organizations or for purchases such as equipment for schools in rural areas.
Vision to Trabzon:This is how Bates summarizes their vision:“The main point about this film is that we are trying to do good for the community in as many ways as possible:
1. Improve the Turkish image by featuring Turkish people in “hero” roles, not bad guys and not just supporting.
2. Give back to our roots and the Turkish community through alliances with the BTF and others.
3. Enable the entire community to participate through investment or sponsorship or donation”However she also adds “in any well-run business, there should be a profit. uniCvisions knows that “Broken Angel” will turn a good profit. By keeping the budget low, it is easier not only to recover the initial investment, but also turn a very sizable profit to roll into the next film in the series, the romance which we hope to shoot in Trabzon.”“So on until instead of hearing “Oh, like in Midnight Express,” when they say they're Turks, the non-Turk? says, “Oh, like in … !” You will be able to fill in that blank with any film made by uniCvisions.” With these words Bates not only perfectly summarizes their purpose as filmmakers but also hints at an important direction that Turkey should consider.
turkishdailynews.com.tr
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Saturday, Jun 23, 2012
The Second "Kazakhstan Montage of Cinemas: Film & Cultural Festival" launches at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles on Aug. 3 for a one-week celebration of Kazakh cinema and culture, including musicians.
The festival is a stellar opportunity for directors, producers, location scouts, and the general public to get an understanding and appreciation of this exotic locale without leaving home.
Sweeping from the Caspian Sea on its Russian border to the Altai Mountain range on the Chinese border, Kazakhstan has a rich nomadic history as well as a powerful current tapestry of cultures. Since gaining independence in 1991, the Central Asian Republic has embraced its remarkable filmmaking past that dates back to the 1930's, when Sergei Eisenstein made his classic “Ivan the Terrible” in this mystic land, and has even given rise to several "New Wave" movements.
Opening night on Aug. 3rd begins with a reception at 7 pm, and includes a program of live entertainment until 11 pm, at the DGA Theater.
Sponsored by Kazakh Geographic Society (KazGeo.kz ), helixfilmsinc.com , the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Los Angeles, the festival includes Advisory Board Members Steven-Charles Jaffe (GHOST, K19), David Marconi (Screenwriter, ENEMY OF THE STATE), and Ambassador Erlan Idrissov.
Tickets cost $10 (including free parking) can be purchased from the festival’s website. "Kazakhstan Montage of Cinemas: Film & Cultural Festival 2012" will be held Aug. 3 - 9 at the Directors Guild of America on 7920 Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles, California
For more information, please see www.kazakhfestival.com - KazakhFilmFestLA@gmail.com
Source : HelixFilmsInc.com
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Sunday, May 27, 2012
The 65th Festival de Cannes drew to a close tonight with the closing awards ceremony hosted by Academy Award nominated actress Berenice Bejo.
The top prize was captured yet again by Michael Haneke for his portrait of an elderly couple Amour. This is the second time he has bested Jacques Audiard who was also in competition with De rouille et d'os (Rust and Bone). Haneke becomes one of the few two-time Palme d'Or winners alongside Alf Sjoberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Bille August, Emir Kusturica, Shohei Imamura, and Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne and only the second after August to win with consecutive films – his previous Palme d'Or was for his 2009 film Das weiße Band (The White Ribbon).
Matteo Garrone picked up his second Grand Prix for his film Reality. Previously, he had won in 2008 for Gomorrah.
The surprise winner for the Jury Prize was Ken Loach with The Angels' Share. He previously won the Palme d'Or in 2006 with The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
Another previous Palme d'Or winner won Best Screenplay. Cristian Mungiu who made 4 luni, 3 săptămâni þi 2 zile (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days) returned with După dealuri (Beyond the Hills), and it also shared the Best Actress for its stars Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur.
In spite of the heavy American representation in the selection, the only American film to win a prize was Benh Zeitlin's Un Certain Regard entry Beasts of the Southern Wild which won the Camera d'Or for first film. Last night, it had won the FIPRESCI international critics' prize.
Complete list of winners for the 65th Festival de Cannes
Palme d'Or
Amour, Michael Haneke (France-Germany-Austria)
Grand Prix
Reality, Matteo Garrone (Italy-France)
Jury Prize
The Angels' Share, Ken Loach (U.K.-France-Belgium-Italy)
Best Director
Carlos Reygadas, Post tenebras lux (Light After Darkness) (Mexico-France-Germany-Netherlands)
Best Actress
Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur, După dealuri (Beyond the Hills) (Romania-France-Belgium)
Best Actor
Mads Mikkelsen, Jagten (The Hunt) (Denmark-Sweden)
Best screenplay
Cristian Mungiu, După dealuri (Beyond the Hills) (Romania-France-Belgium)
Caméra d'or
Beasts of the Southern Wild, Benh Zeitlin (U.S.)
PALME D'OR FOR BEST SHORT FILM
SESSÝZ-BE DENG (SILENCE), REZAN YEÞÝLBAÞ
Source : www.ensonhaber.com
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