5 March 2010 / TODAY’S ZAMAN, ANKARA
“Eşrefpaşalılar,” a movie by first-time filmmaker Hüdaverdi Yavuz, was presented to Ankara moviegoers at a high-profile gala Wednesday evening at the Armada Theater ahead of its theatrical release on Friday.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, his wife, Emine, and their daughter Sümeyye were among the guests at the gala, as were Deputy Prime Ministers Bülent Arınç and Cemil Çiçek, alongside a number of other dignitaries. Following the showing, Arınç presented sponsors with plaques.The movie’s producer, Yusuf Kulaksız, presented Prime Minister Erdoğan with a shield. Erdoğan gave a brief speech, saying: “Of course, I’m actually no stranger to this film. I’m from Kasımpaşa, where ears really were cut off, and where there were those who adhered to the criminal world’s codes of conduct. It’s very, very important to see how a teacher entered this very different world and how he transformed it. It’s very important in terms of demonstrating how doors can be opened by love. There’s no point in drawing a black line or a red line according to whether someone is from Eşrefpaşa or Kasımpaşa. Truth is there; the sincerest of feelings are experienced there.” Erdoğan commended all those involved in the film and posed for a photograph with the movie’s crew.
