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‘There is serious censorship over Atatürk’
With the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, yesterday, debate continues over "Mustafa," a recently released biographical documentary that depicts the lesser-known side of Atatürk's life.
The film's launch brought with it heated discussion in all segments of society over whether it portrays Atatürk's character and private life accurately. Can Dündar, the esteemed
journalist-documentary maker who wrote and directed the documentary, has been both harshly criticized and highly praised. "There is serious censorship over Atatürk. Criticism [of the film] is a result of a lynch culture. I now understand very well what a taboo is," Dündar has reportedly said.
İpek Çalışlar, a journalist who has written a book on the life of Atatürk's wife, said she can sympathize with Dündar: "I faced a court case because of my book 'Latife Hanım.' I am the person who can understand Can best. Some people who draw boundaries around Atatürk become nervous when those boundaries are passed."
Professor Toktamış Ateş, who has also written extensively on Atatürk, said narrow-minded people try to dominate the debate when it comes to Atatürk. "Some bigots concentrate on the way Atatürk was depicted in the movie, as a short man. Some people categorize him in the name of protecting him. Some are sincere, but some aren't," he explained. Dündar has directed numerous documentaries on the life of the founder of the Turkish Republic over the past 15 years, starting with his acclaimed television documentary "Sarı Zeybek" in 1993.
The new film's distributor, Warner Bros., previously announced that it had drawn a record 470,000 moviegoers in the five days since its opening on Oct. 29. The figure has reached around 1 million now.
Featuring an original soundtrack composed by renowned Bosnian musician Goran Bregovic, "Mustafa" aims to bring into the spotlight the parts of Atatürk's life that have so far remained in the dark.
Anti-smoking camp files complaint against ‘Mustafa'
Ahmet Ercan, founder of the Anti-Smoking Association, and Orhan Kural, honorary president of the Fighting against Smoking Foundation, have filed a criminal complaint against "Mustafa," in which Atatürk is frequently shown smoking. The complaint reads: "The content of the film and its interpretation of its topics damage the republic and Atatürk. Damaging such values can lead to the breakup of Turkey and to the loss of national pride. On top of that, the father of the Turks has been shown smoking and drinking heavily. His esteem has been lowered. A person who was a good example for Turkish youth has been killed spiritually. The biggest cigarette advertisement in Turkish history has been made using Atatürk." Ercan and Kural have submitted the petition to the Şişli Prosecutor's Office to be sent to the Ankara chief prosecutor's office. They claimed that Dündar's film violates the law on "Preventing damage from tobacco products and their control."
todayszaman
11 November 2008, Tuesday
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