Engin Yiğitgil President Tursak
Turkish Cinema
1890 gave way to the miracle of motion pictures. During the last 100 years, advanced technology opened up new horizons in the film industry making cinema one of the most exciting and innovative means of artistic expression known to mankind. In our modern society where globalization has become a universal concept in the exchange of information, modern technology has made possible for motion pictures to evolve and become a medium where cultural and artistic differences are able to transcend time and space. In effect, cinema has also become a vital tool in visual communication without the hindrance of language barriers or socio-cultural diversities.
Advanced technology has also improved the quality of film making and as a result, audiences around the world are experiencing artistic expressionism that goes beyond the human imagination. This multi-billion dollar industry faces challenges of offering continuous entertainment to an audience where preferences and expectations are high and difficult to meet.
Although technology has made film making easier, the cost factors in the utilization of this technology has become a budgetary issue for many film producers. Large studio lots, indoor sound stages, expensive locations, computer generated images and crews hired through local unions make the entire process of film making a very costly medium which has caused large studios film studios to decrease their yearly output of films. As a result, many film makers from around the world are looking at alternative ways to cutting corners and as such, many film industries like Hollywood have been looking at other options available outside their own backyard.
Today, many countries like Turkey have opened their doors to the international film community thus presenting alternative cost benefits to film makers. The Anatolian peninsula, where Turkey is located presents one of the most significant historical landmarks in the world. It is a living mosaic of past cultures that have existed throughout history making Turkey the cradle of civilizations. Today's Anatolia is the single piece of land to have once witnessed the existence of twenty three leading civilizations in the world. Great historical monuments preserved through time still stand like the kings' graves, the great ruins of ancient cities ( ancient theatres such as Aspendos, Side, Phaselis and Ephesus) and numerous temples dating back to the Anatolian civilizations. In addition to this unique wealth, the geographical wonders and the vast natural resources of Turkey offer ideal film locations. Turkey can be considered an open air film set ready to serve the international film community.
Since its arrival in 1894, the fascination of film making was a major art medium in Turkey. There was a period when film making placed Turkey amongst one of the leading countries that produced up to three hundred films per annum. Rivaled only by India and the USA, the Turkish film industry was one of the most active industries in the country. However, following a downfall period caused by political, economic and social transitions in the country, Turkish cinema suffered considerably. In addition, the arrival of international films into theatres made it difficult for Turkish films to compete and as box office numbers began to dwindle, so did the local film industry. During the last 20 years, Turkey once again underwent major political and economical changes that brought Turkey into the 21st Century. With the advancement of technology, a very enthusiastic young nation began to flourish. As with many other local industries, the Turkish film industry began to acquire new blood as ambitious and dynamic young Turkish film makers arrived on the scene. Gradually, a sleeping giant began to wake and the Turkish film industry took on a new life. Gradually the Turkish film community regained momentum and many Turkish films began to compete abroad in the international film festival circuit receiving numerous awards and favorable reviews from international film critics. Although the Turkish film industry still has far to go, today it has definitely progressed with the efforts of dedicated filmmakers from the past and from the present who have taken visionary steps and as a result have contributed immensely to Turkish cinema. Talented Turkish film directors like Zeki Demirkubuz, Dervis Zaim, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Ferzan Ozpetek and Fatih Akin have made films that have not only acquired modest numbers at the local box office, but have also gained international recognition thus opening up the way for future film makers. Although the Turkish film industry has not yet reached the place it deserves in the international film market, it holds great promise for the future.
Today the Turkish film industry has the technology, the professionals, the know-how and the resources to lend out to the international film community. What is seriously lacking is communication. Marketing and lobbying has always been seriously amiss with the Turkish film industry and as a nation we suffer because of misuse of information or inaccurately putting out this information to attract international awareness.
The TURSAK Foundation established in 1991 has made it a priority to communicate all these assets through various means. As chairman, I have tried to use our resources here to promote and advocate Turkish cinema as well as introduce international cinema to our own people. With fifteen years of hard work, acquired experiences and established relationships with various local businesses and governmental sectors, TURSAK is now ready to lead the way and act as ambassadors for the Turkish film industry and as such, offer assistance in legal, technical and administrative issues required by all international film investors arriving to our country.