Kevin Costner visits Turkey for commercial

Oscar-winning Hollywood actor Kevin Costner arrived in Turkey on Sunday to take part in a Turkish Airlines, or THY, commercial. He attended a press conference on the same day with THY Executive Board Chairman Candan Karlıtekin and THY General Director Temel Kotil.

Karlıtekin said it was a very important day for THY and that they had agreed with Costner to make the THY commercial because, "We recently bought three Boeing 777s that have first class cabins and these will be used for sometime until we buy the main aircrafts by tender. The aim of this commercial is not to highlight the first class cabins, but the focus is on highlighting THY’s business class product in the international arena."

Kotil said THY was a shining star and added that these two big brands, Costner and THY, would launch 2009 as the year of aviation.

Feeling like a king
Costner said it was his second time in Turkey and that he had felt like a king on both occasions. "Working with THY is a very important step in my life," he said.
In response to a question from members of the press about becoming the face of a Muslim country at a time of war, Costner said, "We were all born in a country and it was not our own choice. Each of us is a citizen of the world. We can act, we can travel and we are accepted. This is important. War has existed since the formation of the world. And our goal must be to end it."

Costner has not flown with THY before, but said, "I have received commercial proposals before. What is important is to work with a company that gives importance to its clients. That is why I have chosen THY."

As to his future plans, Costner said, "I have always tried to control and plan things in my life. I do not want to do this anymore. That is why I will try to act according to what comes along. When I was young, I used to think that I had to do everything in the world. My point of view has changed as I have grown older."

As to his support of Obama during the U.S. presidential elections, Costner said, "I do not think any of us want to talk about politics. We are not politicians. We hope that smart people enter politics. Most of the time these people do not win. I hope that the best ones will be very successful in my country. The best man for us won. We need a leader like this in our country and other countries in the next 30 years."

’How happy is a man who says I am a Turk’
During the press conference, Costner wore a cap with Atatürk's phrase, "Ne mutlu Türküm diyene" (how happy is a man who says, I am a Turk), written on it. He said the cap was a sign of his happiness and appreciation at visiting Turkey.

Asked whether he wanted to play the role of Atatürk on film, Costner said that he had received a proposal to do so in the past, but "I think Turkish actors should have this honor rather than a foreign artist."

As to what he had told his relatives about Turkey after his first visit, Costner said, "When I talk about Turkey, I always speak with pride. I tell people that it is beautiful and that the people are beautiful." He said when he had the opportunity to talk to officials in Washington, he would speak to them about his experiences in Turkey and explain why good relations should be established with Turkey.

Costner said the continuation of relations with THY was more important than the terms of the agreement. "The reason I came here for a second time was because of the way I was welcomed in my first visit." Karlıtekin then said, "You can be sure that THY always aims to get returns out of every agreement and every investment."

As to whether U.S. actors came to Turkey to get to know the country better, Costner said, "I started playing music three years ago. Turkey was the first country that invited me and my music to come. I was very surprised, I had never thought of coming. This was a very important step in my life. That is why I have accepted this commercial proposal and I think my other friends have had the same idea."

As to the economic crisis, Costner said, "If it affects one of us, this means it affects all of us. I have never not had concern for others just because I have had a more comfortable life than many."

60-second commercial
Karlıtekin said the reason they had chosen Kevin Costner was that he was a very good actor, he was very famous and handsome.

Following the press conference, THY officials presented Costner with an Elite Plus card, given to THY’s best customers.

THY’s 60-second commercial will focus on the company’s services that make passengers feel like a star. The commercial will be shot in an aircraft at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport over two days. Fredrisk Callingaard, director of photography who has worked with the likes of Madonna and Kylie Minogue, will direct the commercial that will be broadcast in 70 countries.