Yusuf Kurçenli

A love affair threatened by a barrier as great as itself... Can differences of faith stand in the way of an innocent love affair? Two young people, Esma and Mustafa, fall in love. For them, the future only has meaning if they are together. Failing this, life is meaningless. However, overhanging their love is a barrier unique to the period and location: Mustafa is a clandestine Christian, when everyone including Esma thinks he is Muslim. In the meantime, the Ottoman Empire introduces a series of reforms giving Christians the same rights as Muslims. From this point on, the Church urges secret Christians to reveal their faith. This poses a dilemma for Mustafa: he is caught between his love and the Church.

Open details →

Open details →

Open details →

Five short films by five directors based on themes of love and tolerance, each independent of the other. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Efes Pilsen. The collection includes five short films: Ömer Kavur's "The Meeting," İrfan Tözüm's "Monte Cristo," Yusuf Kurçenli's "Because I Love Her," Erden Kıral's "Moon Stories," and Zeki Ökten's "Always the Same."

Open details →

Open details →

In this biographical drama, the Turkish writer Rifat Ilgaz (Tarik Akan) is forced to go into internal exile after World War Two, because the government suspects him of being a communist. Most of the movie follows him while he is on the lam, and during his reunion with his wife, who grows testy from the restrictions that hiding him impose on her. Eventually he turns himself in, and while in prison, suffers some torture. All the same, he endures with the flame of his spirit undiminished.

Open details →

The film deals with the conflict between the intellectual and the villager through the characters of the uncle, his nephew, and Vedia. The uncle is an intellectual who has made it his principle to develop the villages. He continues to follow city customs wherever he goes. However, his methods often do not conform to the villagers' habits. His adopted daughter Vedia has also been raised like a city dweller. One day, his nephew from Istanbul comes to stay with them. Due to political reasons, he must hide in the village for a while. The nephew spends most of his time with Vedia. However, the events that unfold and the decisions Vedia makes will lead to significant changes in everyone's lives.

Open details →

The film tells the story of the love between a female university student and a painter. Ayşe, who has come to Istanbul to attend university, is staying in a student dormitory. However, since she wants to move out of the dorm, she and her roommate Hatice start looking for a rental apartment. The two happen to rent Reşit Bey's house. One day, Ayşe and Hatice are invited by Reşit Bey to his nephew's art exhibition. Ayşe meets and befriends Reşit Bey's nephew Bedri there. As the two begin spending time together, their relationship gradually turns into love.

Open details →

In the 1930s in Konya, Turkey, the famous belly dancer Cemile dreams of going to the big city. Murat falls in love with her.

Open details →

Ömer, who maintains a traditional family life at the expense of his father, cheats on his wife with a singer. Away from his family day by day, Ömer meets the theater actor Ipek one day. This acquaintance soon leads to a forbidden love between Ömer and Ipek.

Open details →

The story of a Turkish family living in Germany and their struggle for survival, as well as their relationship with their Greek friends, Niko.

Open details →

Recep lives with his wife Zehra and their children in his father's house. He also runs a hotel in the seaside town where they live. Ayşe, from the town, attends high school in Istanbul with Selma Hanım. After graduating, she returns to the town. However, her family does not allow her to attend university. Selma Hanım comes to the town to convince Ayşe's family. She starts staying at Recep's hotel. Ayşe also starts spending time with Selma Hanım while waiting for her university exam results. Mrs. Selma returns to Istanbul after a while. A few days later, Ayşe's exam results arrive. Her father tears up the results. Upon this, Ayşe runs away from home and goes to Recep's hotel. However, Ayşe's arrival at the hotel will change the lives of both Ayşe and Zehra.

Open details →

A love affair threatened by a barrier as great as itself... Can differences of faith stand in the way of an innocent love affair? Two young people, Esma and Mustafa, fall in love. For them, the future only has meaning if they are together. Failing this, life is meaningless. However, overhanging their love is a barrier unique to the period and location: Mustafa is a clandestine Christian, when everyone including Esma thinks he is Muslim. In the meantime, the Ottoman Empire introduces a series of reforms giving Christians the same rights as Muslims. From this point on, the Church urges secret Christians to reveal their faith. This poses a dilemma for Mustafa: he is caught between his love and the Church.

Open details →

Open details →

Open details →

Open details →

In this biographical drama, the Turkish writer Rifat Ilgaz (Tarik Akan) is forced to go into internal exile after World War Two, because the government suspects him of being a communist. Most of the movie follows him while he is on the lam, and during his reunion with his wife, who grows testy from the restrictions that hiding him impose on her. Eventually he turns himself in, and while in prison, suffers some torture. All the same, he endures with the flame of his spirit undiminished.

Open details →