Minister defends removal of documentary from Golden Orange Festival
The documentary "Kanun Hükmü," directed by Nejla Demirci, which portrays the struggle of two dismissed public employees, was removed for the second time from the National Documentary Competition Selection of the 60th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival on September 28.
The reason for the documentary's initial removal on September 22 was the claim that one of the individuals featured in the documentary was still undergoing legal proceedings.
Ministry withdraws from Golden Orange Film Festival reinstatement of documentary
Documentary reinstated in Golden Orange Film festival after censorship debate
In a written statement, Festival Director Ahmet Boyacıoğlu announced removal for the second time, stating, "We cannot accept being described as supporters of any terrorist organization."
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, speaking at a press conference today for the Beyoğlu Culture Road Festival, commented on the censorship controversy at the festival, saying, "Our ministry's stance is very clear":
"From the very beginning, our ministry's stance on this issue has been crystal clear. As the ministry, we are always supporters of culture and art. However, we strongly oppose the use of the power of art to make propaganda for terrorist organizations or to use art as a provocative element. The Ministry has made a detailed statement on this matter to the public."
“An international scandal”
The Screenwriters Union described the situation as an "international scandal."
"The owner of the festival is neither an institution nor an individual, but the cinema sector," it said in a written statement.
"The unfortunate statement made by the Director of the 60th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, Ahmet Boyacıoğlu, and the approval of blatant censorship in an international festival, despite all the sector's components taking a stand against it, legitimizes it!
"The re-removal of the 'Kanun Hükmü' documentary, which has been clearly proven to have no connection to the allegations, from the selection using the argument of 'fear' is an international scandal.
"As SENARİSTBİR, we are always against censorship, no matter where it comes from. If the Festival Director and the festival's management cannot demonstrate the power to make the right decision, they should resign immediately.
"This year's 60th edition of an international festival is owned by neither an institution nor an individual but by the cinema sector."
Reactions to the festival's censorship are being expressed on social media with the hashtag #AltınPortakalSansürü2023 (Golden Orange Censorship 2023). (AÖ/VK)