Semih Kaplanoglu: festivals like GAIFF serve as springboard for young directors

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish filmmaker Semih Kaplanoglu said it’s very important for him that two of his trilogy films were screened in Armenia, as it can help the two nations better know each other.

This year, Golden Apricot International Film Festival featured his Honey film, which won top Golden Bear award.

According to Kaplanoglu, GAIFF like other similar festivals serve as springboard for young directors. It's international platform for Armenian-Turkish cooperation as well.

He also noted that the idea of his 2nd film, Milk, occurred to him during one of the meetings on the sidelines of Cannes Festival.

“The first film, Egg, was shot jointly with Greeks while the 2nd, Milk, with Germany and France. Honey is a Turkish-German production,” Kaplanoglu said.

Commenting on modern Turkish cinematography he noted that a group of filmmakers appeared with one thing in common: they go beyond traditions and show the life of ordinary people.

“Their films are more famous abroad than in Turkey,” he said, adding that the situation tends to change.

“My generation is followed by a generation of young directors who participate in international film festivals and the most important achievement is that they touch upon topics which were banned in Turkey before,” Kaplanoglu said.