The movie, the last part of Kaplanoğlu’s trilogy comprising Yumurta (Egg) and Süt (Milk), received the top Golden Bear award at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival on Feb. 20. Bora Altaş, who played the central character, Yusuf, won over audiences with his touching performance in a film that had no soundtrack and little in the way of plot but resonated with some critics.Young actor Altaş began classes at the Atatürk Elementary School following a one-week trip to Germany for the festival. He received his school report card for the first semester on Monday because he was absent on the last day of the semester due to a screening of the film.
“We attended the film’s screening. We did not stay for the award ceremony. I was very happy walking on the red carpet. I want to be an actor in the future,” Altaş said.
Noting that he had visited Altaş as the film was being shot, school principal Yaşar Duman said: “The film crew told me that the child was very talented. I watched him acting several times. He was really good. We are very proud that his movie received an award in Germany.”
Altaş’s father, Raşit Altaş, spoke about how his son was selected for the movie. “My son was in the city center with his bike that day. Auditions were being held when he was there. The director then called my son to the audition. They let me know afterward. I allowed him to participate. My son was selected out of 700 children.”
Altaş earned TL 3,000 from the movie, and Kaplanoğlu gave him a laptop as a gift after the shooting of the film for his successful performance.
