Kim Dong-ho, the founder and currently the chairman of Busan International Film Festival, received the Life Time Achievement Award from Nursel Kose, a succesful Turkish actress mostly known by her performance in Fatih Akin’s “The Edge of Heaven”. Kim Dong- ho, a very important figure in South Korean cinema with great contributions to making it a world-renowned film industry, mentioned in his acceptance speech that he is very proud of taking this award from the festival, from Turkey. He said that it’s more meaningful for him taking this award both on the year where we’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Republic of Turkey and Republic of Korea and also on the same year he completed his duties in Busan Film Festival. He emphasised that Turkish and Korean community are so closely bond even more than family. He reminded the Turkish directors such as Yesim Ustaoglu and Nuri Bilge Ceylan attending the Busan Film Festival in the past and also told that he was very happy to see the team of the film “Daha” in Busan this year. He finished his words highlighting that he’s so sure the bond between Korea and Turkey will be stronger and stronger.
The jury president of the International Feature Film Competition of MIFF, veteran director Nacer Khemir, who always reflects the mystical elements of the North African, Arabic and Persian cultures in his films received the Honor Award from Hulya Ucansu - one of the most important film festival directors of Turkey. In his acceptence speech, Khemir reminded that he came to Istanbul for the screening of “Wanderers of the Desert” before and that he’s very happy to be in Turkey for the second time. He told that the door knockers in Malatya are very much alike with the ones in Tunisia. He explained he saw lots of details, very small touches that are alike and so he feels home. He explained, when he makes films, he tries to tell stories but he can’t be sure what his films are serving. 10 years ago a friend in Istanbul told him he could show him what his films are serving. He took him to a school and in that school, students were learning Arabic by the help of his film. Later on, he learned that in many countries, his films were used for teaching Arabic. Although his intention was not anything like it. But then he said he realized that films are serving hearts to come together.
The first national honorary award went to Mesut Ucakan, one of the significant directors of the National Cinema movement in Turkey. He got his award from Elcin Musaoglu, Azerbaijani filmmaker best known for his award-winning movie The 40th Door. Ucakan said having an honorary award tells him he made honorary things in 40 years and that he’s so proud. 3 films of Ucakan will be screened in the national tribute section.
Another national honorary award was for Halil Ergun, an esteemed and creative veteran actor of Turkish Cinema. Meral Orhonsay, an awarded veteran actress presented his award. Halil Ergun and Meral Orhonsay mentioned they were in the leading roles in 3 important films: “Yol”, “Yolculuk” and “Gulusan.” Halil Ergun said: “to have a job which you love from your heart, to give all your life to that job and to be honoured at the end, what else can you want?”
The last honorary award went to a dubbing artist Belkis Ozener, “the hidden voice of Yesilcam”. Being the voice of the leading ladies in the films starting from 60’s, she played a very important role in the history of Turkish Cinema. Hulya Kocyigit, the jury president of the National Competition this year, a leading female character in Turkish cinema, also voiced by Belkis Ozener in some early films, presented her award. They both referred to the years they worked together in Yesilcam films and that they’re so proud to have worked together. The night ended with a beautiful concert from Belkis Ozener.
The 7th Malatya International Film Festival continues on the 10th of November with various interviews, National and International Panorama and Competition film screenings and some short films screenings.
