Veda (film)
Encyclopedia
Veda is a 2010 Turkish biographical film
, written and directed by Zülfü Livaneli
based on the memoirs of Salih Bozok
, which traces the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
. The film, which went on nationwide general release across Turkey on is one of the highest-grossing Turkish films of 2010
.
, Ayvalik
, Izmir
and Seferihisar
, Turkey
.
, something that will genuinely show the extraordinary might of a political and military leader and at the same time present the ordinariness of a human being who shows a capacity for fear? From beginning to finish, “Veda” is the loyal portrayal of the demi-god statue that we have been reading about in history books since we were 5 years old, he continues. Sure he is made flesh-and-bone via a handful of actors of different ages (Sinan Tuzcu in particular steals most of the screen time portraying the ages 25-45), but they are just mere vessels for dialogue and quotes that we have been reciting since… forever.
The real problematic part of “Veda” is that while trying to illustrate every aspect of the life of Atatürk (his political and military career, his relationship with his friends and family) the film lacks a focal point and manifests itself as a string of sketches molded out of the sources of documented history. “What is this story really about?” one wonders while observing the meticulous and authentic production design. Surely, he conxedes, the technical qualities of the film are outstanding, but do we not already expect that as a given in a historical production such as this? Furthermore, does this sanctify the film as a good film in itself?
“Veda” will surely make an explosion at the local box office; it's the kind of massive epic drama that audiences anticipate when it comes to national history, he further concedes. Those who were enraged by Can Dündar
's overtly personal and humanizing take on Atatürk last year with his feature length docu-drama “Mustafa
” will be highly satisfied by writer-musician-film director Zülfü Livaneli's epic historic drama “Veda,” which aims to stroke our pride in Turkey's founding leader by preferring to pass over any erring human ways that Mustafa Kemal might have harbored. However, he concludes, an Atatürk movie of deeper context ingrained with a fresh approach is yet to be produced.
Biographical film
A biographical film, or biopic , is a film that dramatizes the life of an actual person or people. They differ from films “based on a true story” or “historical films” in that they attempt to comprehensively tell a person’s life story or at least the most historically important years of their...
, written and directed by Zülfü Livaneli
Zülfü Livaneli
Ömer Zülfü Livanelioğlu is a popular Turkish folk musician , a novelist, newspaper columnist and a film director who has been highly popular for decades...
based on the memoirs of Salih Bozok
Salih Bozok
Salih Bozok was an officer of the Ottoman Army and the Turkish Army, a politician of the Republic of Turkey. He was the chief aide-de-camp of the chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Kemal .-External links:...
, which traces the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was an Ottoman and Turkish army officer, revolutionary statesman, writer, and the first President of Turkey. He is credited with being the founder of the Republic of Turkey....
. The film, which went on nationwide general release across Turkey on is one of the highest-grossing Turkish films of 2010
Turkish films of 2010
A list of films produced by the Turkish film industry in Turkey in 2010.-Highest-grossing films:-Events:JanuaryFebruaryMarch-July to December:-References:...
.
Production
Filming commenced on 27 October, 2009 with location shooting taking place in AntalyaAntalya
Antalya is a city on the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey. With a population 1,001,318 as of 2010. It is the eighth most populous city in Turkey and country's biggest international sea resort.- History :...
, Ayvalik
Ayvalik
Ayvalık is a seaside town on the northwestern Aegean coast of Turkey. It is a district of the Balıkesir Province.It was alternatively called by the town's formerly indigenous Greek population, although the use of the name Ayvalık was widespread for centuries among both the Turks and the Greeks...
, Izmir
Izmir
Izmir is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.35 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey...
and Seferihisar
Seferihisar
Seferihisar is a coastal district and the center town of the same district in İzmir Province, in Turkey. Seferihisar district area borders on other İzmir districts of Urla to the west and Menderes to the east, and touches İzmir's western-most metropolitan district of Güzelbahçe in the north...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
.
Cast
- Sinan TuzcuSinan Tuzcu-Biography:After doing a course on Tourism and Hotel Management at Bilkent University, he graduated in Theatre from Mimar Sinan University's State Conservatory in 2003...
as Atatürk (age 25-45) - Serhat Kılıç as Salih BozokSalih BozokSalih Bozok was an officer of the Ottoman Army and the Turkish Army, a politician of the Republic of Turkey. He was the chief aide-de-camp of the chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Kemal .-External links:...
(age 30-57) - Dolunay SoysertDolunay Soysert-Biography:Dolunay Soysert graduated in Archeology and Art History from Istanbul University. After studying Theatre at Müjdat Gezen Art Center, she worked at the Istanbul City Theatre for four years...
as Zübeyde HanımZübeyde HanimZübeyde Hanım was the mother of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. She was the only daughter of the Hacısofular family which included her two brothers... - Özge Özpirinçci as Fikriye Hanım
- Ezgi Mola as Latife Hanım
- Burhan Güven as Atatürk (age 57)
- Kaan Olcay as Atatürk (age 6-7)
- Bartunç Akbaba as Atatürk (age 14-17)
- Orhan Aydın as Kurmay Başkanı
- Mehmet Erbil as İsmail Hakkı Tekçe
General Release
The film opened in 300 screens across Turkey on at number three in the Turkish box office chart with an opening weekend gross of $1,288,186.Festival Screenings
- 5th Kaunos Golden Lion Film Festival (July 31-August 6, 2010) - closing film
Reviews
How hard is it to make an Atatürk film, one that will make everyone happy, ponders Emine Yıldırım, writing in Today's ZamanToday's Zaman
Today's Zaman is one of two English-language dailies based in Turkey. Established on January 16, 2007, the newspaper's main competitor is the older Hürriyet Daily News....
, something that will genuinely show the extraordinary might of a political and military leader and at the same time present the ordinariness of a human being who shows a capacity for fear? From beginning to finish, “Veda” is the loyal portrayal of the demi-god statue that we have been reading about in history books since we were 5 years old, he continues. Sure he is made flesh-and-bone via a handful of actors of different ages (Sinan Tuzcu in particular steals most of the screen time portraying the ages 25-45), but they are just mere vessels for dialogue and quotes that we have been reciting since… forever.
The real problematic part of “Veda” is that while trying to illustrate every aspect of the life of Atatürk (his political and military career, his relationship with his friends and family) the film lacks a focal point and manifests itself as a string of sketches molded out of the sources of documented history. “What is this story really about?” one wonders while observing the meticulous and authentic production design. Surely, he conxedes, the technical qualities of the film are outstanding, but do we not already expect that as a given in a historical production such as this? Furthermore, does this sanctify the film as a good film in itself?
“Veda” will surely make an explosion at the local box office; it's the kind of massive epic drama that audiences anticipate when it comes to national history, he further concedes. Those who were enraged by Can Dündar
Can Dündar
Can Dündar is a Turkish journalist, columnist and documentarian. He is one of the best known figures in Turkish media, described as possessing "impeccable republican credentials".-Biography:...
's overtly personal and humanizing take on Atatürk last year with his feature length docu-drama “Mustafa
Mustafa (film)
Mustafa is a 2008 Turkish biographical documentary about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, which was written and directed by Can Dündar. The film , which controversially concentrates on Atatürk's personal life, is the first documentary covering...
” will be highly satisfied by writer-musician-film director Zülfü Livaneli's epic historic drama “Veda,” which aims to stroke our pride in Turkey's founding leader by preferring to pass over any erring human ways that Mustafa Kemal might have harbored. However, he concludes, an Atatürk movie of deeper context ingrained with a fresh approach is yet to be produced.
See also
- MustafaMustafa (film)Mustafa is a 2008 Turkish biographical documentary about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, which was written and directed by Can Dündar. The film , which controversially concentrates on Atatürk's personal life, is the first documentary covering...
, a 2008 biographical film directed by Can DündarCan DündarCan Dündar is a Turkish journalist, columnist and documentarian. He is one of the best known figures in Turkish media, described as possessing "impeccable republican credentials".-Biography:... - Dersimiz: AtatürkDersimiz: AtatürkDersimiz: Atatürk is a 2010 Turkish biographical film directed by Hamdi Alkan based on the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.-Production:The film was shot on location in Ankara, Canakkale and Istanbul, Turkey.- Plot :...
, a 2010 biographical film directed by Hamdi Alkan - 2010 in film2010 in filmThe year 2010 saw many new films released worldwide. 2010 saw a dramatic increase and prominence in the use of 3D-technology in filmmaking and film releases after the success of Avatar in the format, with releases such as Alice in Wonderland, Clash of the Titans, Jackass 3D, all animated films and...
- Turkish films of 2010Turkish films of 2010A list of films produced by the Turkish film industry in Turkey in 2010.-Highest-grossing films:-Events:JanuaryFebruaryMarch-July to December:-References:...