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The diegesis of Abandoned Man (Metruk Adam) is constructed around Baran, a man whose soul, we are told, even time itself cannot mend. Portrayed by Mert Ramazan Demir, Baran emerges from a lengthy prison sentence, a term he served not for his own transgression but for a crime committed by his brother. This act of familial sacrifice, far from being a source of honor, has metastasized into a festering internal wound. His re-entry into society is a study in friction; he aims to construct a new life, symbolized by the modest dream of opening a repair shop, yet he remains shackled to his family’s misfortunes and the profound torment of his past.

Turkey’s longest-running film festival will host its 52nd edition of the Antalya International Film Festival this year from November 29 – December 6 in the culture capital on the Turkish Riviera. This year’s festival dates were adapted to accommodate the G20 Summit that took place in Antalya on November 15 &16.

Festival Director Elif Dağdeviren is returning for a second time to run the event, under the auspice of the Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality’s Menderes Türel. Iaff whose sponsors include Turkish Airlines attracted over 40,000 guests last year and brings together renowned international and national film industry leaders and artistic talent to this historic city on the Mediterranean.

This year’s festivities offer a strong line-up focusing on socially conscious fare and strong female stories from women filmmakers from across the globe. The program will also present insightful panel discussions, film forums as well as national and international competition sections vying for the Euro €50,000 Grand Prize Jury Award for Best International Film; and Try 100,000 (Turkish Lira) to the Best National Feature Film. Icelandic Film Corporation’s Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, who earned a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar nomination for his film “Children of Nature,” will preside over the International Jury. Fridriksson is also well-known internationally for his co-production partnerships with Lars von Triers’ Zentropa and Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope. Turkish filmmaker Ömer Vargı, who revitalized Turkish cinema in the 1990’s with his blockbuster films Şerif Gören’s “Amerikalı” and Yavuz Turgul’s “Eşkiya” (“The Bandit”) is President of the National Feature Film Jury.

“This has been a particularly challenging year to secure these new dates but it is more important that the festival go ahead and provide a platform for the artist to be heard,” Festival Director Elif Dağdeviren commented. “In these difficult times, it is essential filmmakers have an opportunity to present universal stories, discerning human narratives, behind-the-scene accounts to share their unique experiences to bring about a greater understanding to so many complex issues prevalent in the world today.”

Mayor Türel returns to his post after an absence of 4 years to pick up the reins of the festival and retain his bold step to offer a diversity of content to address global perspectives at Iaff and to claim its rightful place as a part of the world film festival circuit. In announcing the new dates for the 52 nd festival Türel stated, “In a time where we are going through a difficult period globally, we wish the breath of the arts will allow us to rise again and sound of music and the light of cinema will illuminate the darkness. We extend our gratitude to all lovers of the arts who contributed towards this cause.”...