Pacifica Honors Top Turkish Director

Pacifica Honors Top Turkish Director

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacifica Institute and Westwood Productions honored Mahsun Kirmizigul, one of Turkey's top directors at a special screening of "I Saw the Sun" ("Gunesi Gordum"). The film is Turkey's submission for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 82nd Academy Awards.

"This film is different from a lot of others because, first and foremost, it is based on reality," said Kirmizigul who wrote and also stars in "I Saw the Sun." The story centers on immigration, the Kurdish conflict and gender issues, and follows the fate of a family moving from a village in eastern Turkey to Istanbul.

Before turning his attention to filmmaking, Kirmizigul was a successful singer and TV star, and remains an A-list celebrity in Turkey. He made his directorial debut in 2007 with "White Angel" ("Beyaz Melek") which earned him worldwide acclaim.

"I Saw the Sun" played to a packed house at the Dec. 15 screening at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Los Angeles. The event brought together Pacifica's diverse community of friends, including professionals in educational and religious communities, members of the press and diplomats.

"'I Saw the Sun' is a film about peace and I think it does its job in that respect," Kirmizigul said. "People just want to resolve their problems and as an artist I felt it was my duty to make this film."

Guests at the screening agreed. Retired judge, the Honorable Robert Spitzer said, "The themes in the film are new and provocative," while Dr. Marilyn Gotschall of Whittier College said, "The movie reminded me of the immigration stories from Latin America to the States; the tragedy of families being broken up and the mishaps that happen along the way. It is a universal story whenever there is war and conflict."

"It was excellent," added Dr. Vasili Berdoukas from Greece. "It was a very strong movie and had a very powerful message."

"The greatest goal of this movie in my mind is not to take sides," Kirmizigul said. "We want people to get together, embrace one another and live together in peace."

Next "I Saw the Sun" will participate at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January. The film was produced by Murat Tokat and distributed by Pinema. Pacifica Institute is a non-profit organization aimed at promoting dialogue among diverse communities. (www.gunesigordum.com)

Photos: http://www.rribit.com/mnr/I_Saw_The_Sun

Source: Pacifica Institute

CONTACT: Elif Cercel of Pacifica Institute, +1-310-208-7290

Web Site: http://www.pacificainstitute.org/

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