Istanbul ready for ‘rendezvous’ with cinema

ORGANIZED by Turkish Cinema and Audiovisual Culture Foundation (TÜRSAK), with the support of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the 21st Rendezvous Istanbul International Film Festival will offer a feast to cinema lovers.

Set to be held between Dec. 8 and 11, this year’s festival is ready to salute Istanbulite cinephiles with sections titled “Contemporary Cinema of France,” “Great Masters of French Cinema” and “The First Rendezvous.”

With the cinemas of Spain and China as its focus in the previous years, Rendezvous has decided on the cinema of France for this year’s theme. In cooperation with the French Cultural Center and combining prominent examples of contemporary cinema of France that haven’t been released in Turkey yet, films will include classics shot by the great masters of French cinema. The movies will be shown at the cinema hall of the French Cultural Center.

Another section offered by the festival is “The First Rendezvous” which was arranged for the first time last year. With an aim to draw attention to the new directors of national cinema, “The First Rendezvous” will once more present fresh filmmakers who succeeded in grabbing attention with their debut films last year. offers “L’exercice de l’Etat” (“The Minister”) a political thriller that was deemed worthy of the Cesar Awards in scenario, acting and music in addition to the FIPRESCI Prize under “Un Certain Regard” at Cannes Film Festival where its premiered. “La Belle Saison” (“Summer Time”), with the sincere performances of its stars Cecile de France and Izia Higelin in addition to perfect directing, portrays the atmosphere of 1970s France in a quite natural way. “Tomboy,” a striking film that portrays the story of 10-year-old Zoe who is confused about her identity in an exceptionally naive and affectionate way; and lastly “L’enfer d’Henri-Georges Clouzot” (“Inferno”) presents the mysterious making of and filming of “Inferno” by the famous director Henri-Georges Clouzot. The breath-taking frames shot by Clouzot for the incomplete production that starred Romi Schneider - the great star of the time - are released in this film for the first time. screened under this section.

Prepared with an aim to promote novice filmmakers who have shown remarkable success with their first films in the past year, the section offers “Borç” (“Debt”) by Vuslat Saraçoğlu, “Güvercin” (“The Pigeon”) by Banu Sıvacı, “Martı” (“The Seagull”) by Erkan Tunç and “Tuzdan Kaide” (“The Pillar of Salt”) by Burak Çevik.

Put into practice by TÜRSAK Foundation three years ago to honor figures who make a difference with their contributions to culture and the arts, the TÜRSAK Outstanding Contribution Award for Arts will be presented to the “Kariyo & Ababay Foundation” this year due to their precious contributions to the cultural and artistic life of Turkey.