Türkçe
The documentary “Crossroads”, directed by award-winning director Mahmut Fazıl Coşkun and produced by Bulut Reyhanoğlu and Vanessa Medini Arslan, focuses on 4 artists from Turkey.
“Crossroads” sheds light on the production practices and art styles of Gülay Semercioğlu, Seçkin Pirim, Candaş Şişman and Sinan Logie, who were born in Turkey, which has a rich cultural heritage that blends Eastern and Western cultures.
While the documentary gives the opportunity to take a closer look at the inspirations of the artists, each of whom produces in different disciplines and with different techniques, in Turkey’s cultural history, it also includes the artists’ own stories.
Aiming to increase the worldwide awareness of Turkish contemporary art and artists, the production draws attention to the development of Turkish art despite its entanglement between east and west. Underlining that Turkey serves as a bridge not only geographically but also with its multi-layered cultural structure, the documentary says, “Turkish art, whether classical or contemporary, is Turkish art. It does not belong to the Middle East, it belongs to Turkey”.
While the documentary tells the stories of the artists, Turkish modern and contemporary art is evaluated under the heading of the Middle East when viewed from the West; From the perspective of Turkey, it criticizes the perception of it as belonging to the West. “Crossroads” gives clues about how the cultural heritage and diversity brought about by Turkey’s multicultural structure. Explaining how it forms the basis of Turkish modern and contemporary art, while depicting why Turkish artists turn their gaze to their land, history, people and tradition.
“Crossroads”, Turkey’s first contemporary art documentary, will make its premiere at Beyoğlu Cinema on Friday, 15 April at 19.00, as part of the 41st Istanbul Film Festival’s National Documentary Competition, organized by İKSV between 8-19 April 2022. The documentary will be screened at the Cinematheque/Cinemaevi on Monday, April 18 at 11:00 am. All tickets for the festival can be obtained from Biletix and the box office of the halls.