Turkish films to capture the east
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Anatolian Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Nisan 02, 2009 00:00
ANKARA - The international success enjoyed by Turkish films and television shows in recent years is paving the way for an expansion in screenings abroad and new joint cinema projects by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the state television channel.
Buoyed by the success of the Turkish television series "Noor" in the Middle East, and the awards won by Turkish movies at various international festivals, the country’s film industry is aiming to increase its global reach.
This month will see a heavy schedule for Turkish film events abroad, including "Turkish film days" in Finland, Poland and Ukraine, said Abdurrahman Çelik, the general director of copyrights and cinema for the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Çelik added that Egypt and Iran had invited Turkey as a "guest country" at events to be held through the end of the year, and that Turkish films would be exposed to Melbourne audiences in May and Chinese ones in June. "Our target is to reach the world’s farthest destinations," Çelik said. "We will go to these countries for the first time and see people’s reactions to and interest in Turkish films."
Different films from three broad categories were chosen to screen in different countries, Çelik said, explaining that "one-third of these films are classic Turkish films, one-third are award-winning films and the rest are ones popular with Turkish audiences."
Next stops: Dubai and Qatar
The Middle East is a very important market for Turkish films, Çelik said, adding that Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar have all included Turkish film days in their event schedules. "We have to maintain the great interest in Turkey in these countries. They are also very curious about Turkish TV series," Çelik said. "Cinema is the best way to communicate with the people of other countries, and Turkey has not yet taken advantage of this art. We can promote ourselves quickly thanks to our film industry."
Çelik added that the interest created by a television series aired in Middle Eastern countries had also revived Turkish tourism. "The number of visitors from Arabic countries has highly increased in recent years," he said. "Istanbul is a magnificent cultural and shopping destination for them. This interest must be taken seriously and benefited from."
Joint projects with TRT
Stressing Turkey’s rich history and culture, Çelik said: "We should make a very good promotion abroad. TV series are one of the most important factors to reach this goal."
The ministry has exchanged ideas about such issues with TRT, the Turkish state television channel, which is undergoing a process of change and development. Potential joint projects include the exporting of documentary films and TV series to the Turkic Republics and other countries. More details would be available in the coming months, Çelik said.
Middle Eastern countries are also a target of the planned joint projects, Çelik said, adding, "the Culture and Tourism Ministry and TRT will provide the transfer of Turkish filmsto these countries with a very different method."
This month will see a heavy schedule for Turkish film events abroad, including "Turkish film days" in Finland, Poland and Ukraine, said Abdurrahman Çelik, the general director of copyrights and cinema for the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Çelik added that Egypt and Iran had invited Turkey as a "guest country" at events to be held through the end of the year, and that Turkish films would be exposed to Melbourne audiences in May and Chinese ones in June. "Our target is to reach the world’s farthest destinations," Çelik said. "We will go to these countries for the first time and see people’s reactions to and interest in Turkish films."
Different films from three broad categories were chosen to screen in different countries, Çelik said, explaining that "one-third of these films are classic Turkish films, one-third are award-winning films and the rest are ones popular with Turkish audiences."
Next stops: Dubai and Qatar
The Middle East is a very important market for Turkish films, Çelik said, adding that Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar have all included Turkish film days in their event schedules. "We have to maintain the great interest in Turkey in these countries. They are also very curious about Turkish TV series," Çelik said. "Cinema is the best way to communicate with the people of other countries, and Turkey has not yet taken advantage of this art. We can promote ourselves quickly thanks to our film industry."
Çelik added that the interest created by a television series aired in Middle Eastern countries had also revived Turkish tourism. "The number of visitors from Arabic countries has highly increased in recent years," he said. "Istanbul is a magnificent cultural and shopping destination for them. This interest must be taken seriously and benefited from."
Joint projects with TRT
Stressing Turkey’s rich history and culture, Çelik said: "We should make a very good promotion abroad. TV series are one of the most important factors to reach this goal."
The ministry has exchanged ideas about such issues with TRT, the Turkish state television channel, which is undergoing a process of change and development. Potential joint projects include the exporting of documentary films and TV series to the Turkic Republics and other countries. More details would be available in the coming months, Çelik said.
Middle Eastern countries are also a target of the planned joint projects, Çelik said, adding, "the Culture and Tourism Ministry and TRT will provide the transfer of Turkish filmsto these countries with a very different method."