Yunus Emre InstituteA much applauded launch for Yunus Emre Institute’s 2nd London Turkish Film Week saw an enthusiastic audience of professional, diplomatic and press guests enjoy the international premiere of the latest box-office block-buster Turkish Ice Cream in the most historic cinema in Great Britain, the lovely and lively independently programmed Regent Street Cinema, the venue where the Lumiere Brothers first screened film in Great Britain at the end of the 19th Century. A large audience of critics and cineastes enjoyed the latest epic from director Can Ulkay who introduced his film with key members of his international cast Will Thorp, Carl Wharton, Dutch Star Marleen Mathews, James Farley and Tristan Alexander. Turkish Ice Cream opened across Turkey on 15th March in 900 cinemas and already enjoys the Number I position at the Turkish box-office. It is set in New South Wales in 1915 where two brothers come to make their fortune selling the celebrated Turkish dondurma, but soon are caught up in the wartime conflicts that include Gallipoli. It is a spectacularly successful recreation of historical incidents that have a sardonic modern relevance. A lively Q&A after the screening was moderated by the BBC broadcaster and member of the UK Critics’ Circle, Phillip Bergson, following which guests were able to meet the film-makers over an informal lunchtime reception sponsored by the Simit Sarayı bakery in the art deco cocktail bar of the cinema. The 2nd London Turkish Film Week will run from 24th to 30th April in several central venues in the capital with many screenings, Q&A’s, panel discussions and many visiting film-directors and actors coming from Turkey. With over a dozen new and very varied features available to public paying audiences, it aims to bring some of Turkey’s best to the metropolis of the United Kingdom. Follow the film week @londonturkishfilmweek #LTFW
