Festival spotlights Turkish filmmakers

By Loren King, Boston Globe    April 18, 2004

In just three years, the Boston Turkish Film Festival has established continuity as veteran and new Turkish filmmakers recognized by the festival continue to make their marks on the international film scene. Two films by Zeki Demirkubuz, "Fate" (Yazgi) and "Confession" (Itiraf), screened in the second Boston Turkish Film Festival. At this year's event, which runs from Thursday to May 2 at the MFA, Demirkubuz will present his latest film, "The Waiting Room" (Friday), and his rarely screened first film, "Block C" (Saturday). The director will also lead a free discussion on Turkish cinema on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the MFA's Trustee Room. 

Another veteran of Turkish cinema and the local festival, Omer Kavur, is represented once again. Audiences may remember Kavur's "Journey on the Hour Hand" from the first festival. This year, Kavur's psychological drama "Encounter" will screen on April 30.

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival, the acclaimed "Distant" will have its New England premiere in the festival on Thursday. Director Nuri Bilge Ceylan also directed the past Boston festival selection "The Clouds of May." The Toronto Film Festival honored all three directors this year.