In English - Altyazı Fasikül

A project of Altyazı Cinema Association, Altyazı Fasikül: Free Cinema‘s main purpose is to increase the visibility of the works of filmmakers who face risks of repression and censorship. Altyazı Fasikül is an affiliated partner of the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR).

In this section you can find articles, interviews and conversations from the library of Altyazı Fasikül, translated into English. They reflect the stories of people and places, as well as the struggles of collectives from the recent history of filmmaking in Turkey. You can also watch the videos of From Below and Looking Outside series, curated and produced by Altyazı Fasikül, with English subtitles. Seen Unseen: An Anthology of (Auto)Censorship which consists of videos of Altyazı Fasikül’s third series Seen Unseen (Görünür Görünmez) had its premiere in the 17th Documentarist – Istanbul Documentary Days. This anthology film will be traveling the festivals and cultural venues throughout 2024-2025.

Video Series

Seen Unseen: An Anthology of (Auto)censorship

A group of filmmakers and artists from Turkey came together to produce videos for Altyazı…

What is ‘From Below’?

We are watched by cameras installed from above. But how about surveillance from below? From Below series will stream a new video around such questions every Thursday.

Looking Outside – Short Films from Turkey Made During the Pandemic

Altyazı Cinema Magazine’s supplement Altyazı Fasikül: Free Cinema invited independent filmmakers in Turkey to make…

Dashboard

Seen Unseen: An Anthology of (Auto)censorship

A group of filmmakers and artists from Turkey came together to produce videos for Altyazı…

Osman Kavala series by TRT: Smear campaign

Smear campaign against human rights advocate Osman Kavala advertised as TV series: Metamorfoz, broadcast at Turkish Radio and Television’s digital platform tabii, has released its second episode after a long pause.

The Story Behind A Poster: A Film That Was Never Made

Two filmmakers from Turkey, Çiğdem Mater and Mine Özerden, have been held in Bakırköy Prison in Istanbul, for more than a year.
This video tells the story behind the poster: “A Film That Was Never Made” resulted in an 18 year prison sentence.

The Jina Revolution Through the Eyes of Iranian Artists Living Abroad

The Association of Iranian Film and Theatre Artists Abroad (AIFTAA) offers support across borders to women who are “rooted underground” in Iran. We talked with filmmaker/artist Mania Akbari and playwriter and director Niloofar Beyzaie from the association, which tries to make the voice of the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement heard all over the world.

In the Aftermath of the Earthquakes

Filmmakers in solidarity, documentarists in the field despite censorship and attacks, destroyed movie theaters, media’s ‘charity washing’ and counter-videos… This edition of our monthly newsletter focuses on the aftermath of the earthquakes in Turkey.

Mania Akbari Tells Her Own Story

In her letter addressed to MK2, Mania Akbari was accusing Abbas Kiarostami not only with plagiarism but also with sexual assault. We contacted Akbari to listen to her story in all its details.

What is ‘From Below’?

We are watched by cameras installed from above. But how about surveillance from below? From Below series will stream a new video around such questions every Thursday.

Heleen Gerritsen: Eastern European Cinema and The Western Gaze

One of the guests of 14. Documentarist – Istanbul Documentary Days was Heleen Gerritsen, the…

Shaghayegh Norouzi: Iranian #MeToo Is Stronger Than Ever

Male dominance in the Iranian film industry is crumbling since women started to publicise their…

Culture in Crisis: The Case of the Cinemateca Brasileira

Cinephiles around the globe have been deeply concerned about and reacting against the closing of…

Looking Outside: The Echoing Presence of the Silenced

The author gives an overview of the short documentaries in the ‘Looking Outside’ series, reflecting on the notions of inside vs. outside, remembering vs. forgetting. The shorts were commissioned by Altyazı Fasikül: Free Cinema during the first lockdown.