Boghos Posted December 8, 2001 Report Share Posted December 8, 2001 7 December 2001 Reactions to the Armenian movie "Ararat" produced by Hollywood Ataturk University (AU) Turkish-Armenian Relations Research Center DeputyManager Dr. Erol Kucukoglu said that in with the request of Armenians,Hollywood produced a film called "Ararat" and in this movie they claim tohave suffered acts of genocide in Van. Kucukoglu said to the Anatolia news agency that they have learnt that theArmenian Lobby try to show Turkish people carrying out acts of genocide andnamed the film Ararat instead of Agri Mountain. Kucukoglu said the director of the movie, Atom Egoyan, is a Canadiancitizen with Armenian origin and added: "There is no doubt that theArmenian lobby gave the scenario to Egoyan with some money. Before watchingthe movie we guess how the historical reality will be diverted. We are surethat no historical source has been used in this film because historicalsources show that the reality is the opposite." Armenians claimed that they were massacred, however, Kucukoglu said thatthe reality is opposite. Kucukoglu explained that between May 8-21, 1915Armenians massacred Turkish people which was one of the biggest massacresin Turkish history killing 3,000 Turkish people in the incident. Armeniansleft the huge mass graves that scientist know to date. Kucukoglu added thatthese historical realities are all found in domestic and foreign sourcesand could be easily proved. He continued that he does not understand whythe Armenians produced a film like this. To date in East and Southeast Anatolia 185 mass graves have been found.These graves belong to the Turkish people who were killed by Tasnak andHiincak gangs. Kucukoglu said the majority of these mass graves are locatedin Kars, Van and Erzurum. Kucukoglu said that the historical resources were recorded by the peoplewho lived during that period. One of these people was the famous frenchwriter Pierre Loti. Loti's work "Articles over Turk's" explained thesituations that they experienced in Van in the year 1896. Kucukoglu alsosaid that they have several other sources and these belong to foreignwriters and press members. However, there is no evidence in these sourcesof an Armenian massacre. -----------Copyright 2001, Turkish Daily News. This article is redistributed withpermission for personal use of Groong readers. No part of this articlemay be reproduced, further distributed or archived without the priorpermission of the publisher. Contact Turkish Daily News Online at http://www.TurkishDailyNews.com for details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThornyRose Posted December 9, 2001 Report Share Posted December 9, 2001 quote:Originally posted by wh00t:You probably don't know this, but I guess it can't hurt to ask... do you know how easy or difficult it is to obtain Egoyan films where you live? Has it become more difficult after ARARAT emerged? Has there been any boycott (state-sponsored or otherwise) of his films? Just wondering. I was reading an Azeri news report that Cher (Armenian, as you likely know) was banned in Azerbaijan. Then another report came in that said not only was she not banned, but her material was constantly being played on the radiowaves.No, I don't know at all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted January 9, 2002 Report Share Posted January 9, 2002 Turkey Launches New Attack On Egoyan's Film YEREVAN (Armenpress)—Turkey launched a new propaganda campaign on the Internet against the film "Ararat," written and directed by a Armenian-Canadian movie director Atom Egoyan. A special web site was established, www.ermenisorunu.gen.tr, which presents the Turkish vision of the Armenian Genocide. The antagonistic message in the Turkish site raises the question: what is the company trying to accomplish by producing this film, (a film expected to increase tension between the neighboring countries)? Set against the production of an epic film about the Genocide of 1915, "Ararat" is a contemporary story that deals with the relationship between history in the making and the impact of historical events on people's lives today. "Ararat" features Charles Aznavour, Eric Bogosian and other prominent stars and actors. Miramax Films, an affiliate of the Walt Disney Co., has acquired the US distribution rights to Ararat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khodja Posted January 23, 2002 Report Share Posted January 23, 2002 Turkish National Security Council? MIT (Turkish Secret Service)? Why are these organizations involved with efforts to stop the showing of the film "Ararat"? The Turks intend to turn the showing of a film into a Turkish security issue? Will they couch this in security terms? Is this what they are going to suggest to President Bush, US military officials and world leaders? What does this have to do with military or security matters, nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The truth is that these Turkish leaders know that they are vulnerable to bona-fide claims by Armenians for assets (bank accounts, land buildings and personal property) unlawfully confiscated from their Armenian parents and grandparents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted January 24, 2002 Report Share Posted January 24, 2002 EGOYAN'S ARARAT TOPIC OF TURKISH SECURITY COUNCILAccording to the Turkish Sabah newspaper, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli chaired meeting entitled "Commission Against False Genocide Accusations." The meeting discussed issues regarding the soon-to-be-released movie "Ararat" which is directed by prominent Canadian-Armenian filmmaker Atom Egoyan. During the meeting, a decision was made to utilize all resources of Turkey's culture and foreign ministries, the Prime Minister's office as well as other related organizations in order to prevent the movie's opening, which is dedicated to the Armenian Genocide and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2002. The meeting was attended by the General Secretary of Turkish National Security Council (adjacent to Turkish Prime Minister's Office) Tuncer Kuluj, MIT (Turkish Secret Service) official Shenkal Atasaghu, officials from the foreign and internal affairs ministries, as well as the chairman of the Institution of Turkish History Yusuf Halacoghlu. © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted January 24, 2002 Report Share Posted January 24, 2002 > By ArmenPress.com>>EGOYAN'S ARARAT TOPIC OF TURKISH SECURITY COUNCIL ISTANBUL, JANUARY 23, ARMENPRESS: According to the Turkish Sabah newspaper, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli chaired meeting entitled "Commission Against False Genocide Accusations." The meeting discussed issues regarding the soon-to-be-released movie "Ararat" which is directed by prominent Canadian-Armenian filmmaker Atom Egoyan. During the meeting, a decision was made to utilize all resources of Turkey's culture and foreign ministries, the Prime Minister's office as well as other related organizations in order to prevent the movie's opening, which is dedicated to the Armenian Genocide and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2002. The meeting was attended by the General Secretary of Turkish National Security Council (adjacent to Turkish Prime Minister's Office) Tuncer Kuluj, MIT (Turkish Secret Service) official Shenkal Atasaghu, officials from the foreign and internal affairs ministries, as well as the chairman of the Institution of Turkish History Yusuf Halacoghlu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted February 8, 2002 Report Share Posted February 8, 2002 TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY PREPARING MEASURES TO PREVENT RELEASE OF "ARARAT" CANADIAN FILM ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE08.02.2002 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Turkey is worried with the coming release of "Ararat" film, which is about the Armenian genocide." The article titled "Turkey against "Ararat" and printed on the first page of "Le Monde" French influential newspaper says this. "Mediamax" agency reports the newspaper writes that tension is growing because of the film of Canadian film director of Armenian origin Atom Egoyan. "Turkey refuses to recognize that Armenians became victims of the genocide. They call Egoyan's film the second "Midnight express," – "Le Monde" writes. (Alan Parker's film called "Midnight express" tells about the terrible life conditions of the prisoners in Turkish prisons. Even 20 years after many people still remember the film, which told negatively on the image of Turkey.) The first shots of "Ararat", where heads of Armenians stuck on rods are shown, has caused the sharpest criticism. "When it became known that Egoyan's film may be nominated for the Cannes international cinema festival, mobilization of public consciousness took place in Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister has already prepared a project of international appearance directed against "Ararat" film" – "Le Monde" writes. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted February 8, 2002 Report Share Posted February 8, 2002 TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY PREPARED INTERNATIONAL SPEECHES AGAINST ‘ARARAT’Turkey is mad about the upcoming release of the film ‘Ararat’, which tells about the 1915 Armenian Genocide, the French Le Monde newspaper writes in the article ‘Turkey is against ‘Ararat’. The French newspaper says the movie dedicated to the Armenian Genocide shot by the Canadian-Armenian film director Atom Eghoyan, and where French-Armenian famous singer Charles Aznavour is starring, caused big tension in Turkey. ‘Turkey refuses to recognize that genocide was carried out against Armenians, and calls the new film the second ‘Midnight express’,- writes Le Monde. Particularly the first moments of the film, which shows heads of Armenians impaled along a long road, caused severe criticism in Turkey. ‘When it was informed that the film is going to be represented in the International Film Festival of Cannes a general mobilization of public opinion took place in Turkey, and the country’s foreign minister started to prepare a plan of speeches to be read in international instances’,-writes the French newspaper. © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boghos Posted February 9, 2002 Report Share Posted February 9, 2002 Most serious films about Turkey are not allowed to be played or are played in very restricted circles. Remember Yol ? Poor Yilmaz Guney... This is the country that gave a hard time to one of its most celebrated writers, Yashar Kemal, for his defence, in very mild terms, of some degree of freedom for the Kurds. Interestingly enough Kurdish protest music is widely available, legally. Groups such as Kizilirmak (the main singer, Ilkay Akkaya has a very beautiful voice, and they also do a lot of Anatolian traditional music), and Yorum (that I do not like very much). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted February 9, 2002 Report Share Posted February 9, 2002 TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY PREPARING MEASURES TO PREVENT RELEASE OF "ARARAT" CANADIAN FILM ABOUT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE08.02.2002 /PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Turkey is worried with the coming release of "Ararat" film, which is about the Armenian genocide." The article titled "Turkey against "Ararat" and printed on the first page of "Le Monde" French influential newspaper says this. "Mediamax" agency reports the newspaper writes that tension is growing because of the film of Canadian film director of Armenian origin Atom Egoyan. "Turkey refuses to recognize that Armenians became victims of the genocide. They call Egoyan's film the second "Midnight express," – "Le Monde" writes. (Alan Parker's film called "Midnight express" tells about the terrible life conditions of the prisoners in Turkish prisons. Even 20 years after many people still remember the film, which told negatively on the image of Turkey.) The first shots of "Ararat", where heads of Armenians stuck on rods are shown, has caused the sharpest criticism. "When it became known that Egoyan's film may be nominated for the Cannes international cinema festival, mobilization of public consciousness took place in Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister has already prepared a project of international appearance directed against "Ararat" film" – "Le Monde" writes. Reproduction in full or in part is prohibited without reference to "PanARMENIAN.Net" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted March 7, 2002 Report Share Posted March 7, 2002 TURKEY GETTING READY FOR THE RELEASE OF ATOM EGOYAN’S FILM The Turkish daily Radical writes that the Turkish public is getting ready to watch attentively a film by a Canadian Armenian movie director Atom Egoyan, called Ararat, which tells about the 1915 Armenian genocide, committed by Turkish authorities in the last years of the Ottoman empire. The Istanbul-based daily writes that Turks want to learn lessons from the movie to seek new ways of anti-Armenian propaganda. According to the newspaper, Turks must watch the film to learn what Armenians think about them, as well as to see how they present Turks to the world. © Copyright AZG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wh00t Posted April 18, 2002 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2002 A few new info tidbits-=- The Globe and Mail, CanadaThursday, April 18, 2002 * Print Edition, Page R1 Egoyan film sparks Turkish backlash Threats of legal action and boycotts await the premiere of Ararat, RAYCONLOGUE writes, for its depiction of the Armenian genocide By RAY CONLOGUE TORONTO -- The possible premiere of Canadian director Atom Egoyan's newfilm Ararat at Cannes next month is hotly awaited by cinephiles around theworld -- plus one very angry government. Since last December, the Turkish government has been threatening legalaction against the film's producers if the film asserts that Turkey wasguilty of genocide against the Armenian community in 1915. There is also achance the film will be banned in Turkey, as the movie Midnight Express(also considered anti-Turkish) has been banned for more than 20 years. Ararat is the story of a contemporary film director who goes to Turkey tomake a movie about the events of 1915. It contains scenes set in 1915portraying the massacre of the people of the Armenian town of Van. There is also a scene inspired by an Armenian poem about the genocide, inwhich Turks order 20 young brides to dance, and then burn them to deathusing kerosene. Turkish groups are threatening to boycott the film unless it is changed toremove elements Turks find offensive. Web sites have been set up urgingreaders to e-mail the U.S. distributor, Walt Disney Co. (and its subsidiary Miramax). One Web site (http://www.ermenisorunu.gen. tr/trukce/kampanyalar/miramax. html) suggests viewers copy and send a sample letter, which ittranslates into English. "I am vigorously protesting your company because of producing a filmfomenting hatred," reads the sample letter, which is found on the largeTurkish-language Web site called Forsnet. "Your actions run the seriousrisk of motivating me and other Turkish audience to see other companies'films instead of Miramax and Walt Disney productions." Forsnet appears to be a government-sponsored Web site, with extensive newsreports, together with political editorials reflecting the Turkishgovernment's point of view. But the Turkish consulate in New York says that the government is notbehind the Web campaign against Egoyan's film. "I have no idea about anyofficial or unofficial campaign or any remarks about it [the film]," saysUnver Tevsik, the consulate's press officer. It is also unclear how effective the campaign has been. Matthew Hilting, aMiramax spokesman in New York, said that "there have been some e-mails. Ican't confirm that it's thousands. But there have definitely been a numberof them. Miramax didn't get many, but Disney received a bunch." However, Andreas Maroza, a spokeswoman for Disney, says that the companyhas received no e-mails at all. "Had there been mail of this sort, itwould have passed through my office." At issue is the death of more than 1.3 million Armenians in a slaughterthat the Armenian community, and most observers including major Westerngovernments, have called an attempted genocide. The Turkish governmentmaintains that its predecessor, the Ottoman government, merely deportedthe Armenians to prevent them helping the invading Russian army. Turkeyacknowledges that as many as 300,000 Armenians were killed in the"deportation," but says the killings were carried out by militias thegovernment did not control. Egoyan, who lives in Toronto, will not comment on the matter, but isreported to be upset by the letter-writing campaign. Robert Lantos,president of Toronto-based Serendipity Point Films, the producer of the$15.5-million movie, refuses to comment. Egemen Bagis, president of the Federation of Turkish American Associationsin New York, states that none of the groups in the FTAA is behind thee-mail campaign. "Egoyan has every right to freedom of expression. I knowthere was no genocide, but he is as strong probably in his belief that itwas a genocide. We should respect each other's opinions." Bagis suggeststhe film should contain "an acknowledgment that the facts are stilldisputed by historians." According to an article published in the French newspaper Le Monde on Feb.7, the Turkish government will take legal action against the movie on theday of its first screening to a public audience. This follows the strategyit used against Alan Parker's 1978 movie Midnight Express. Turkish groupsin Canada also lobbied the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission in an unsuccessful attempt to have that film removed from TVbroadcast in this country. But Bagis sees a difference between the films. "Midnight Express wasorchestrated to damage the image of Turks. Even 20 years later, it hauntsevery Turkish person. But in Ararat, according to what I've read, thereare some good Turkish characters." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul bunyan Posted April 19, 2002 Report Share Posted April 19, 2002 has Atom Egoyan's movie been shown in theUnited States yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wh00t Posted April 19, 2002 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2002 No. There is a 99% chance that the worldwide premiere will be at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fadi Posted April 19, 2002 Report Share Posted April 19, 2002 Yes in fact, normally it should be presented at the Canne film festival first, I just hope it will be compleated at time to be presented there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wh00t Posted April 21, 2002 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2002 Liberation (France) has reported today that Ararat is rumoured to be shown outside of competition! Why?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fadi Posted April 21, 2002 Report Share Posted April 21, 2002 Yes, you are right, I already posted what you said in French... when I said presented I meant for the award, not only to be viewed... it would be probably the next year... Still what Charles Aznavour wanted will be realised(presented at Canne) Sorry for the mistake, I had a book on my hand studying for my last exams when I wrote that... I hope you will excuse me for that mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fadi Posted April 21, 2002 Report Share Posted April 21, 2002 /cgi-bin/forum/ultim...c;f=10;t=000357 My mistake... I hope denialists will not find this mistake I made, they will do so much noise about me building crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fadi Posted April 22, 2002 Report Share Posted April 22, 2002 Don't worry it is not because the film is not good, it will be presented probably at the next one... the film was not ready at time, it was what I was expecting. This could be an adventage knowing Egoyan, since for sure the majority of diasporan Armenians will go see the movie, as well as many Canadians, and press critics, it will give an importance to the movie untill the next Canne festival. [ April 21, 2002, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: Domino ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wh00t Posted April 22, 2002 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2002 Domino, I think what they mean is that it will be shown at this year's Cannes, but it will not be competing for the Palme d'Or... you can read the article at Groong, it's in French alors you'd understand it mieux que moi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KGrigory Posted April 24, 2002 Report Share Posted April 24, 2002 Ararat update from upcomingmovies.com: Release Date: November 29th, 2002 (platform limited release; one of Miramax's Oscar hopefuls) World Premiere: May 20th, 2002, Cannes Film Festival (out of competition) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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