Özcan Alper: Perceptions of the Turkish society about the Armenian Genocide have changed
Alisa Gevorgyan/ “Radiolur” 12.07.2012
Director of the “Summertime” film José Luis Torres Leiva (Chile) and Turkish director of Armenian origin Özcan Alper, director of the “Future Lasts Forever,” met with reporters today within the framework of the 9th Golden Apricot Film Festival.
Although very young, the Chilean director has managed to shoot a number of short and documentary films. “Summertime” is José Luis Torres Leiva’s second full-length film . .
During one hot summer day, small events shape the lives of visitors and workers of an old thermal resort in southern Chile. Julieta, Francisco, Isa, Rodrigo, Ignacio, Mariana, Muriel, Gabriela, Eliseo, Norma, Alejandra and Claudio experience the long vacation hours in nature, sleeping in the sun, learning how to drive, cleaning the house, kissing for the first time, swimming at night or just walking and talking, while the day slowly unravels into fragments of happiness and discovery.
”Cinematography is not well developed in Chile, the state does not pay due attention to the sphere. There are only two foundations that sponsor the production of films. We have restricted access to international film market. Cinema is a new phenomenon for us,” José Luis Torres Leiva said.
Özcan Alper, a director of the Armenian descent, was born in Turkey. His first work – “Autumn” – won prizes at international film festivals in Tbilisi, Sofia and Ankara. A few years ago he received a special jury prize at the Golden Apricot.
This time Özcan Alper participates in the Golden Apricot with the “Future Lasts Forever” film.
”Although the film tells about a Kurdish boy, its pretext is the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. There is an episode that shows that it is the Turkish Government that bans the discussion of the issue, but there is also public protest, which I want to exert influence on with my film,” the director told reporters in Yerevan.
According to him, there have been certain changes in the perceptions of the Turkish society over the past 10-15 years. “At least, I would not be able to shoot this film in Turkey 15 years ago,” Özcan Alper said..
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