Bosphorus Film Festival opens in Istanbul with Palestine centre stage - As-salāmu alaykum
As-salāmu alaykum - The 13th Bosphorus Film Festival opened at Istanbul’s historic Atlas 1948 Cinema in a ceremony that felt more like an act of steadfastness than just a film premiere. Organised by the Bosphorus Culture and Arts Foundation, the week-long festival has grown into one of Türkiye’s major cultural events, screening national and international documentaries, features and shorts.
This year the programme gives prominence to films addressing Palestine, focusing on the devastating war in Gaza that has caused immense loss, especially among women and children, since October 2023. At the opening on Friday, Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Batuhan Mumcu spoke against the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and praised President Erdoğan’s long support for the Palestinian cause. “We are a nation that speaks up for Palestinians. We do not stay silent when we hear the word ‘Palestine,’” he said, framing the festival as part of a wider commitment: “What we try to do at the ministry is not just make films. We try to bring together people who have faced deep trauma and cruelty.” He described the festival as a national cultural brand that shows sensitivity to suffering, hope, resistance and truth from around the world.
Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir, whose film Palestine 36 was screened, received a long ovation when she spoke about the shared history between Palestine and Türkiye. “We made this film in the darkest moment of our history,” she said. “We made it with a lot of pain and a lot of anger. And we did it mostly with love.” She thanked Turkish public broadcasters and supporters for standing by the project during two years when Palestinians felt particularly isolated: that support “was a reason for us to keep going because you told us we were not alone.”
Irish actor Liam Cunningham drew parallels between Palestine and Ireland, arguing there is a moral duty to support self-determination and freedom for the Palestinian people. British producer Cat Villiers reflected on her country’s colonial past and the responsibility to tell these stories, while producer Osama Bawardi recalled how the war in Gaza nearly stopped production - forcing the team to relocate one week before shooting - but said, “Gaza kept us going. Gaza kept us breathing.”
Actor Saleh Bakri, who plays a rebel in the film, gave a passionate line that resonated with many: “I want to fight. The most natural thing you do under oppression is to resist it. Because if you don’t, you wither away.” He noted his privilege as an actor: “The weapon I use doesn’t kill; there’s no blood. But my shot is lasting.”
Festival president Ogun Sanlier reiterated cinema’s role in building solidarity: “We believe cinema helps people understand each other and share suffering. With this belief, we could not remain silent about the great pain in Palestine.”
The opening screening, Palestine 36, is a sweeping historical drama set during the 1936–39 Arab revolt against British rule. With internationally known actors alongside a largely Palestinian cast, it follows Yusuf, a young villager whose life is upended by Zionist settlers and British forces. The film mixes fiction with colourised archival footage to show a community losing its land and dignity while responding with resistance and resilience. Palestine 36 is Palestine’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards in 2026.
May Allah ease the suffering of the oppressed and guide hearts towards justice. Peace and blessings.
https://www.trtworld.com/artic