Directed by Ömer Faruk Sorak and written by Yılmaz, the movie follows the absurd adventures of two Ottoman civil servants sent by the sultan as spies to the United States towards the end of the 19th century. The film’s ensemble cast also features Ozan Güven, Demet Evgar and Özkan Uğur. A jubilant Yılmaz told reporters before the screening at the Kanyon Cinebonus Theater that the subject matter of movies can either be universal or local but that this is not among criteria used in determining whether it is a quality production or not. “I believe if they spend enough effort, English or American moviegoers will also be capable of understanding [Turkish] movies -- in the way that we understand ‘Avatar.’ At least we wear [3-D] glasses…” Yılmaz joked.
Yılmaz said his sole aim was to make good films and added that “Yahşi Batı” was a fun, enjoyable comedy. When a reporter asked whether he would be frustrated if “Yahşi Batı,” a somewhat expensive production for Turkish cinema with a budget of TL 3 million ($2 million), did not do well at the box office, Yılmaz said, “No.” This is not something a filmmaker decides before he/she sets out to make his/her film, Yılmaz said, adding: “How much realizing your idea will cost is something you learn after you start working on it. But this is not something that would hold you up. [How much the film will earn at the box office] is not our problem.”
Answering a question whether he expected strong competition from the upcoming Recep İvedik sequel, which follows yet another chain of absurd adventures but this time that of an ugly thug, Yılmaz said he did not have any such concerns. “This debate is not associated with me and [Şahan Gökbakar, who plays Recep İvedik]. This is a debate that rather concerns moviegoers. I don’t have the time to comment on such things,” Yılmaz said.
“Yahşi Batı” opens in wide release today in theaters across Turkey as well as in limited release in several theaters in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, UK and France.
