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Fatih Akın unveils ‘Soul Kitchen’ at İstanbul gala
The Turkish-German filmmaker told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s packed gala at the Kanyon Cinebonus Theater that “Soul Kitchen” marked a new era in which he wants to depart from his former lifestyle. “Yes, I want to leave behind this certain lifestyle: hanging out, drinking … I’m getting older, and I have a child now. I’m going gray. I hope this film marks an end to that boisterous life,” Akın said.
“Actually, filmmaking is a little bit like exercising,” Akın added. “Indeed, I gave up smoking to be able to make better films. … I wish I could be a director like Bruce Lee,” Akın said.
Cast members Pheline Roggan, Anna Bederke, Birol Ünel and Bousdoukos, who shares scriptwriting credits with Akın in “Soul Kitchen,” were also in attendance at the gala, the Anatolia news agency reported.
“Soul Kitchen,” which earlier this year won the jury’s special prize at the Venice Film Festival and which was also featured at the Toronto International Film Festival, was the opening film of this year’s 17th Filmfest Hamburg. The film signifies “a declaration of love for the metropolis of Hamburg,” according to Hamburg festival director Albert Wiederspiel. “This good-humored film about the city’s different cultures and subcultures makes you proud to live in Hamburg,” Wiederspiel was quoted as saying back in September.
The film is seen as “a delightful change of pace for … Akın, whose previous films ‘Head On’ and ‘The Edge of Heaven’ dealt with very serious stuff,” according to a review published in September in The Hollywood Reporter.
Answering a question regarding the film being his first foray into comedy, Akın said he loved all film genres as a moviegoer, adding that he would like to make films in each and every genre if he has the chance.
Akın also added he was “surprised that ‘Soul Kitchen’ won a prize at Venice,” as he did not expect comedy to be recognized at Venice, the world’s oldest film festival, which is also one of the three most prestigious events of its kind around the world, along with Cannes and Berlin. “I thank God for each award [my films receive]. Awards help improve our work. … I served as a member of the jury at festivals such as Cannes, but [from my experience] I understood [that] this has nothing to do with a film being good; rather, it has to do with luck,” Akın said.
“Soul Kitchen” will open on Friday in Turkish theaters, the same weekend when comedian Cem Yılmaz’s eagerly anticipated Western comedy opens in wide release in Turkey and in a number of theaters across Europe. Asked about his opinion on recent Turkish movies, Akın said only Turkish films with good box office sales opened in European cinemas, so he only watches Turkish films months later when they’re released on DVD, adding, however, that he was really curious about Yılmaz’s latest flick.
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