Actually, the entire scene shot in Istanbul Kadikoy, not in Turkish border town.
Jafar Panahi Is the lead actor in reality, is playing a fictionalised version of himself, he is also writer, director and producer of the movie. Five roles in one.
Excluding minor supporting role cast members the whole movie cast and crew comprised just sixty people, less than 20% of a comparable Hollywood production, and even lower than the nearby Indian equivalent.