A three-day film fest at NCPA offers a glimpse of life in Turkey and the social and cultural issues of navigating the thin line between the east and the west

A three-day film fest at NCPA offers a glimpse of life in Turkey and the social and cultural issues of navigating the thin line between the east and the west

The Turkish film industry, or Yesil am (Green Pine), has had an arduous journey over six decades, similar to what the country underwent after opting for democracy in 1950.

Movie poster of The Goal of My Life

The ups and downs were characterised by long-drawn battles with censorship and the dilemma of siding with ancient socio-religious traditions or opting for technology and modern-day values. Being located midway between Europe and Asia also added to the confusion.

Turkish Movie Days is a festival where you can watch five award-winning movies that represent the best of Turkish cinema. Organised by the Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), and the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), the three-day event will also include a discussion with the director and actor of the award-winning movie, Lovelorn.

"The idea is to expose cinema lovers to Turkish movies, which were hitherto an unfamiliar territory for most Indians. Also, the films highlight issues that we can identify with, be it balancing the influences of the East and the West or the similarities between the cultural norms followed by Indians and the Turks," says Arvind Rajamani, Manager-Trade Relation and representative of Turkish Culture and Tourism Office.

The line-up of movies being screened realistically depict how life turned upside down thanks to the Turkish coup in the 80s, an ice-cream salesman's battle with big shot brands, an arranged love marriage, father-son dynamics and a couple who escape the monotony of life by embarking on a daring road trip.

Movie schedule

November 2
Two lines (2008)
Mert and Selin live two lives, one at daytime and at night, imprisoned in a monotonous everyday life. Mert uses his days to photograph incidental passers-by while Selin is a withdrawn businesswoman. But slowly the outside world crowds in on them when they decide to take the step of entering the world, daring to go on a car trip to the south.
Time: 5.30 pm

The goal of my life (2008)
Ugur Yigit is a salesman and fanatic football fan. Pinar is a successful but headstrong woman who works for an insurance company. Both their mothers, who are close friends, decide to match them together. However, Ugar and Pinar meet for the first time when their cars crash into each other leading to intense rivalry. Their parents arrange meetings between them, but will they fall in love with each other?
Time: 7.30 pm

November 3
Ice cream, i scream (2006)
Ali, who is an ice cream salesman in Mugla, tries to survive in the face of fierce competition from big ice cream brands. While trying to promote his ice cream he tours the village with his new yellow ice cream motorbike. However, the naughty boys of the town who are chasing him for ice cream steal the motorbike while he is away. Ali starts investigating the theft which he blames on the big brands.u00a0u00a0
time: 5.30 pm

My father and my son (2005)
Sadik is a rebellious youth who has been politically active as a university student and becomes a political journalist. In the Turkish coup, he loses his pregnant wife and is arrested. After serving jail time he returns to his father's home with his seven year-old son, Deniz, knowing it will be hard to correct things with his father, whose expectations he has thwarted at every turn of his life.
Time: 7.30 pm

At: Tata Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point. Till: November 3. Attendance on Day 1 is by invitation only. Entry is free for public on November 2 and November 3. Free tickets can be collected from ICCR office at
1, Hemprabha, 68, Netaji Subhas Marg. Call: 22814581 / 22813302