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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Cinema Without Borders: Childhood in times of conflict—Amrum
Be it Short Sharp Shock, The Edge of Heaven, Soul Kitchen or In the Fade, Fatih Akin, the prolific German filmmaker of Turkish descent, is best known for films that explore immigrant lives. With his latest, Amrum, he ventures into the new zone of period drama. A moving documentation of what it is like growing up in a beautiful place—Amrum Island in Germany—but at a treacherous point in history—towards the end of World War II, it nonetheless engages with the contemporary issues of identity and belonging and rings an obviously discernible political bell. What is of the times comes with a timelessness attached. Political indoctrination of the young, after all, is as much a thing of the past as it is of the present and the future. The story is told from one such child's perspective. The protagonist, 12-year-old Nanning (Jasper Billerbeck), is a man in the body of a boy, whose life is not about fun and games but arduous jobs—working on the farm, fishing, hunting for rabbits and being the bait in the dangerous chase for killing a seal—all to help his mother Hille (Laura Tonke) bring food to the table for the family. Will the end of the war, the death of Hitler and a return to peace change things for them? Or will normalcy still remain a distant dream? What is normal anyhow what with the pregnant Hille mourning the fall of Hitler and Nanning, brought up in the midst of Nazis, unable to let go of the 'Hail Hitler' salutation even while encountering an increase in animosity for those with his political inclination. The unlikely clincher in this momentous time is the family secret that Nanning unwittingly unearths, which further ruptures his already broken reality. The film, which is co-written by Akin with Hark Bohm, is based on Bohm's own childhood memories of Amrum. It had its world premiere at the official Cannes Premiere section of the Cannes Film Festival marking Akin's fifth selection at the event. Akin changes course stylistically. Unlike his signature lush and vigorous narratives, things get quieter and centred, simple and subdued. The lilting quality of the frames and the rhythmic flow of story-telling is offset by the weightiness and intensity at the heart of the tale.
eNCA
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Top director Akin slams Turkey's 'mobster' leaders over arrests
Acclaimed film director Fatih Akin said he fears ending up behind bars if he returns to Turkey, with his manager there in jail accused of attempting to overthrow the government. The Turkish-German auteur -- a hero to many in the country for films like "Head-On", "In the Fade" and the Istanbul music documentary "Crossing the Bridge" -- told AFP late Friday that agent Ayse Barim is "totally apolitical and innocent" of the charges, which relate to protests 12 years ago. "If they put her in prison, what the hell is going on?" Akin asked. "So I better not go there. I don't want to take the risk." Barim, 56, who was arrested in January, denied helping to organise the 2013 Gezi protests that shook the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- who was prime minister at the time -- saying she only attended the protests to accompany her clients, some of Turkey's most famous stars. Prosecutors accused her of "pushing" her actors to take part, a claim she denies. A small demonstration to save some trees in a park in central Istanbul spiralled into nationwide anti-government protests that brought hundreds of thousands onto the streets. Hamburg-born Akin, whose new film "Amrun" premiered at the Cannes film festival, said "officially there is no warrant for me". "But to be honest, I don't know," he added, saying anything was possible as Turkey was being run by "mobsters". "They have other values, it's shocking," he said. - Opposition silenced - "Certain politicians are not even afraid to go to war if this helps them to stay in power. And Erdogan is one of them," he added. Turkey has been hit by the biggest wave of protests since Gezi since the arrest in March of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges. The popular mayor is Erdogan's biggest political rival, with the opposition and rights groups saying he was locked up to stop him running against the president in elections in 2028. Nearly 2,000 people, including journalists, have been arrested in the crackdown on dissent since, with Imamoglu's X account blocked. Akin, whose family comes from the Black Sea region like Erdogan's, said part of the "nonsense" case against Barim is that "she had talked 39 times" with jailed liberal philanthropist Osman Kavala, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2022. "Those 39 times were because of my film 'The Cut'(which touched on the Ottoman-era genocide of Armenians) because Kavala financed part of it and she's managing me. So they talked because of me and both are now in prison. I'm the connecting point," he said. Barim was about as far from an activist as you could imagine, he added. "She's an agent, a talent manager -- a neo-liberal capitalist for heaven's sake." The Golden Globe and Golden Bear winner, 51, said he suspected Turkish prosecutors would try to pretend that he was also "part of the gang" plotting to overthrow Erdogan. "A lot of people are proud of me" for showcasing Turkish culture and the diaspora, "but these people don't care about that", Akin added. Turkish authorities regularly target journalists, lawyers, celebrities and elected political representatives, especially since a failed 2016 coup against the government. By Fiachra Gibbons
France 24
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Top director Akin slams Turkey's 'mobster' leaders over arrests
The Turkish-German auteur -- a hero to many in the country for films like "Head-On", "In the Fade" and the Istanbul music documentary "Crossing the Bridge" -- told AFP late Friday that agent Ayse Barim is "totally apolitical and innocent" of the charges, which relate to protests 12 years ago. "If they put her in prison, what the hell is going on?" Akin asked. "So I better not go there. I don't want to take the risk." Barim, 56, who was arrested in January, denied helping to organise the 2013 Gezi protests which shook the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying she only attended the protests to accompany her clients, some of Turkey's most famous stars. Prosecutors accused her of "pushing" her actors to take part, a claim she denies. A small demonstration to save some trees in a park in central Istanbul spiralled into nationwide anti-government protests that brought hundreds of thousands onto the streets. Hamburg-born Akin, whose new film "Amrun" premiered at the Cannes film festival, said "officially there is no warrant for me". "But to be honest, I don't know," he added, saying anything was possible as Turkey was being run by "mobsters". "They have other values, it's shocking," he said. Opposition silenced "Certain politicians are not even afraid to go to war if this helps them to stay in power. And Erdogan is one of them," he added. Turkey has been hit by the biggest wave of protests since Gezi since the arrest in March of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges. The popular mayor is Erdogan's biggest political rival, with the opposition and rights groups saying he was locked up to stop him running against the president in elections next year. Nearly 2,000 people, including journalists, have been arrested in the crackdown on dissent since, with Imamoglu's X account blocked. Akin, whose family comes from the Black Sea region like Erdogan's, said part of the "nonsense" case against Barim is that "she had talked 39 times" with jailed liberal philanthropist Osman Kavala, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2022. "Those 39 times were because of my film 'The Cut'(which touched on the Ottoman-era genocide of Armenians) because Kavala financed part of it and she's managing me. So they talked because of me and both are now in prison. I'm the connecting point," he said. Barim was about as far from an activist as you could imagine, he added. "She's an agent, a talent manager -- a neo-liberal capitalist for heaven's sake." The Golden Globe and Golden Bear winner, 51, said he suspected Turkish prosecutors would try to pretend that he was also "part of the gang" plotting to overthrow Erdogan. "A lot of people are proud of me" for showcasing Turkish culture and the diaspora, "but these people don't care about that", Akin added. Turkish authorities regularly target journalists, lawyers, celebrities and elected political representatives, especially since a failed 2016 coup against the government.
Int'l Business Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
Top Director Akin Slams Turkey's 'Mobster' Leaders Over Arrests
Acclaimed film director Fatih Akin said he fears ending up behind bars if he returns to Turkey, with his manager there in jail accused of attempting to overthrow the government. The Turkish-German auteur -- a hero to many in the country for films like "Head-On", "In the Fade" and the Istanbul music documentary "Crossing the Bridge" -- told AFP late Friday that agent Ayse Barim is "totally apolitical and innocent" of the charges, which relate to protests 12 years ago. "If they put her in prison, what the hell is going on?" Akin asked. "So I better not go there. I don't want to take the risk." Barim, 56, who was arrested in January, denied helping to organise the 2013 Gezi protests which shook the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying she only attended the protests to accompany her clients, some of Turkey's most famous stars. Prosecutors accused her of "pushing" her actors to take part, a claim she denies. A small demonstration to save some trees in a park in central Istanbul spiralled into nationwide anti-government protests that brought hundreds of thousands onto the streets. Hamburg-born Akin, whose new film "Amrun" premiered at the Cannes film festival, said "officially there is no warrant for me". "But to be honest, I don't know," he added, saying anything was possible as Turkey was being run by "mobsters". "They have other values, it's shocking," he said. "Certain politicians are not even afraid to go to war if this helps them to stay in power. And Erdogan is one of them," he added. Turkey has been hit by the biggest wave of protests since Gezi since the arrest in March of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges. The popular mayor is Erdogan's biggest political rival, with the opposition and rights groups saying he was locked up to stop him running against the president in elections next year. Nearly 2,000 people, including journalists, have been arrested in the crackdown on dissent since, with Imamoglu's X account blocked. Akin, whose family comes from the Black Sea region like Erdogan's, said part of the "nonsense" case against Barim is that "she had talked 39 times" with jailed liberal philanthropist Osman Kavala, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2022. "Those 39 times were because of my film 'The Cut'(which touched on the Ottoman-era genocide of Armenians) because Kavala financed part of it and she's managing me. So they talked because of me and both are now in prison. I'm the connecting point," he said. Barim was about as far from an activist as you could imagine, he added. "She's an agent, a talent manager -- a neo-liberal capitalist for heaven's sake." The Golden Globe and Golden Bear winner, 51, said he suspected Turkish prosecutors would try to pretend that he was also "part of the gang" plotting to overthrow Erdogan. "A lot of people are proud of me" for showcasing Turkish culture and the diaspora, "but these people don't care about that", Akin added. Turkish authorities regularly target journalists, lawyers, celebrities and elected political representatives, especially since a failed 2016 coup against the government.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Concentration Camp Drama ‘Each of Us,' Starring Diane Kruger, Boarded by Beta Cinema
Beta Cinema has secured the international sales rights for the concentration camp drama 'Each of Us,' starring Diane Kruger, whose credits include 'In the Fade,' for which she won best actress in Cannes, 'Inglourious Basterds,' and 'Amrum,' which premieres this week in Cannes. Other lead members of the cast include Carla Juri ('Blade Runner,' 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit,' 'Wetlands'), Aida Folch ('The Artist and the Model,' 'The Island,' 'Smoking Room') and Ninel Geiger ('Music,' 'Sound of Falling'). More from Variety Cannes Market Hot List: Will New Films From Seth Rogen, Pamela Anderson, Rachel Zegler and Jeremy Allen White Spark Bidding Wars? Indonesia's JAFF Market Sets Cannes Agenda With Film Slate, Global Partnerships '[REC]' Producer Filmax Brings to Market 'The Nest,' Drops Promo (EXCLUSIVE) The film tells a story of survival, resistance and sorority in the Ravensbrück women's concentration camp – the only one of its kind – during the final days of World War II. 'Each of Us' is directed by an all-female team of four European filmmakers: Anne Zohra Berrached ('24 Weeks'), Neus Ballús ('The Plague,' 'The Odd-Job Men'), Stina Werenfels ('Dora Or the Sexual Neuroses of Our Parents') and Anna Jadowska ('Woman on the Roof,' 'Wild Roses'). The film, inspired by true stories, is written by screenwriters Eva Pauné and Mirjam Ziegler. It follows the intertwined stories of four women from different countries who struggle to preserve their humanity amidst the brutal conditions of the camp. Their lives become linked through a young girl who brings both hardship to them but also hope. 'Each of Us' is lensed by Agnieszka Holland's favorite director of photography Jolanta Dylewska ('In Darkness,' 'Spoor,' 'Ayka') and edited by Pedro Almodovar's collaborator Teresa Font ('The Room Next Door,' 'Parallel Mothers'). The producers state: 'To allow for an authentic representation of our four protagonists' backgrounds, experiences, and identities, 'Each of Us' is filmed in a truly unique way: each director focused on a different protagonist, offering her individual attention from screenwriting to mise-en-scène. From the rushes, we can tell the result is an awe-inspiring experience — marked by emotional depth and a strong connection to the protagonists and their individual journeys, in which solidarity, the characters' quiet strength, and a sense of hope rise far above the harsh realities depicted.' The film is produced by Alhena Production (Spain), Bon Voyage Films (Germany), Turnus Film (Switzerland), and Blick Productions International (Poland), in co-production with Ramen Studio and EFD Group. The project was developed with the support of Media Creative Europe, and is also supported in Spain by ICAA, ICEC, TVE and TVC, in Germany by ARTE, SR, SWR, RBB, BR, MDM, MOIN and MBB, in Switzerland by BAK, Zurich Filmfund and RGB Stiftung, and in Poland by PISF and WFDIF. The film is in production and being shot in Poland, Germany and Spain. 'We are honored to represent 'Each of Us,' a film that brings together a remarkable team of female directors (two of whom we had the pleasure to work with before, Neus Ballús and Anne Zohra Berrached) and a compelling narrative that resonates universally,' said Thorsten Ritter, executive vice president of Beta Cinema. 'Its exploration of resilience and solidarity in the face of unimaginable adversity is both timely and timeless.' Beta Cinema's Cannes slate also includes Fatih Akin's new film 'Amrum,' screening in official selection, several English-language upcoming titles like the Bill Nighy-led road-movie '500 Miles,' and the market premieres of the Italian hit comedy 'U.S. Palmese' by directors Antonio and Marco Manetti, and the Spanish debut 'The Remnants of You' by Gala Gracia. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
