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Award Winning Documentaries Screened at EMU

Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Communication Faculty hosts Turkish World 2nd International Documentary Film Festival and Contest

The films "Mağusa", "Blank Sheet", "The Way", "7 Maidens Theatre", "Kırmızı" and "Oymak"  were screened at the EMU Communication Faculty on Friday, the 6th of October 2017. The opening speech of the festival was carried out by Turkic World Journalists Federation President Mehmet Demir who thanked EMU, Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam and Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Cem Tanova for their hospitality and contributions. Mehmet Demir also thanked the Promotion Fund of the Turkish Prime Ministry and Republic of Turkey Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım stating that they carried out the Turkish World 2nd International Documentary Film Festival with films from 23 regions of Turkish geography.

Mehmet Demir, Cem Tanova

EMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Cem Tanova thanked Turkic World Journalists Federation President Mehmet Demir, as well as everyone who contributed to the organization of the festival. Indicating that EMU has been one of the best 10 Turkish universities since it was founded in 1979, Prof. Dr. Tanova noted that despite being separated from its Turkish relatives for a long time the TRNC continues to develop its relationship with Turkish nations. “For this reason we are delighted to be hosting the Turkish World 2nd International Documentary Film Festival”. Prof. Dr. Tanova also presented Turkic World Journalists Federation President Mehmet Demir, Festival Director Turan Şahin and TRNC Prime Minister’s Office Press Representative Züleyha Karaman plaques of appreciation

The opening also included a North Cyprus themed photography exhibition comprised of student photographs from EMU Research Assistant Mert Yusuf Özlük’s basic photography class.

The organization continued with the screening of the documentary Mağusa directed by EMU Communication Faculty Research Assistant Mert Yusuf Özlük for which EMU Communication Faculty Academic Staff member Dr. Engin Aluç acted as assistant director. Some of the highlights from the talk with Özlük and Aluç are as follows:

“We Have Played Our Part”

Stating that he has filmed ten short films and directed one film in the TRNC, EMU Communication Faculty Research Assistant Mert Yusuf Özlük expressed his pride in the documentary Mağusa. Indicating that the second part of the film will include verbal history work and stories from individuals, Özlük answered an audience question about restoration work in the Walled City as follows: “ We have played our part. The more our film is viewed the more awareness will be raised. I hope we can contribute  to raising awareness.”

“There Is Sadness in the Walled City”

Mağusa assistant director and music director EMU Communication Faculty Academic Staff member Dr. Engin Aluç stated: “ I have been here for a long-time.  This is a very multicultural city. There is sadness in the walled city. The sad timbre we used with shots of magnificent historical structures  is for this reason.”

Özlük and Aluç also thanked “Mağusa” documentary mastermind Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ümit İnatçı, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam, Vice Rector Asst. Prof. Dr. Cem Tanova, Department of Cinema and Television Chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahire Özad and student assistants who contributed in the making of the film.

The festival continued with a panel moderated by EMU Communication Faculty, Department of Cinema and Television academic staff member Pembe Tölük. Speakers at the panel on documentaries and cinema were Asst. Prof. Dr. Pembe Behçetoğulları, Asst. Prof. Dr. Yetin Arslan and Research Assistant Mert Yusuf Özlük.

Film screenings took place after the panel. A group photo was taken at the end of the organisation.