A three-day Turkish film festival was canceled after the screening of famous Hollywood actor Daniel Craig’s movie “Queer” was banned in Istanbul, Turkey.
According to foreign media, “Queer” is a film based on the novel by William S. Burroughs, starring Daniel Craig as William Lee, a gay American immigrant living in Mexico City in the 1940s.
According to media reports, the said film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival and it will be released in the US on November 27, 2024.
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However, a long post was uploaded on Instagram by streaming platform ‘Mobi’ MUBI. In which the cancellation of the film festival was announced in protest against the ban imposed by the local authority on the screening of 56-year-old Hollywood star Daniel Craig’s film Queer, which revolves around homosexuality.
Streaming platform MobiTurkey wrote in a post that they are deeply disappointed to cancel Mobifest Istanbul 2024 due to the ban on queer performances by Istanbul authorities, the report said. We spent months preparing for it, announced it weeks in advance and sold thousands of tickets.
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“We stand by our values of freedom of expression and artistic freedom,” Moby’s Insta post added. We appreciate and share everything with our artists, audiences and partners for their support and understanding.
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**Interview with Film Festival Organizer Elif Yılmaz**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Elif. Can you tell us a little bit about the Turkish film festival and what led to its cancellation?
**Elif Yılmaz:** Thank you for having me. Our festival was intended to celebrate local and international cinema, with a spotlight on inclusivity and diverse storytelling. Unfortunately, the cancellation stemmed from the controversy surrounding Daniel Craig’s film “Queer,” which was banned by authorities in Istanbul shortly before our event was set to begin.
**Editor:** That’s quite unfortunate. What impact did the banning of “Queer” have on the festival?
**Elif Yılmaz:** The ban on “Queer” set a precedent that made it clear to us that the festival would not be able to proceed in a supportive and open environment. Many of the films we planned to showcase were aligned with themes of identity and LGBTQ+ representation, and we felt that holding the festival under these circumstances would not be appropriate.
**Editor:** I can see how that would be concerning. Did you receive any support from the global film community regarding the situation?
**Elif Yılmaz:** Yes, absolutely. We received messages of solidarity from filmmakers and festival organizers worldwide who expressed their disappointment about the situation in Turkey. Organizations advocating for film freedom have also reached out, urging us to continue our efforts to promote cinema that represents all voices.
**Editor:** Do you have plans to reschedule the festival or organize any future events?
**Elif Yılmaz:** We are currently exploring our options. While we are disheartened by this setback, we remain committed to promoting diverse narratives. Part of our response might involve virtual screenings or partnerships with international festivals that can help us showcase these stories beyond regional constraints.
**Editor:** That sounds promising. Any final thoughts you’d like to share with our audience?
**Elif Yılmaz:** I’d like to remind everyone how vital it is to support films that challenge societal norms and champion representation. It’s essential for audiences everywhere to advocate for the freedom of expression in cinema, as it impacts not just filmmakers but also the larger culture and society.
**Editor:** Thank you, Elif, for your insights and for your commitment to the arts in these challenging times. We look forward to hearing more about your future endeavors.
**Elif Yılmaz:** Thank you for the opportunity to share our story.