March 17, 2006 - 19:54 AMT
Taviani Brothers Agreed to Mitigate Script of Film on Armenian Genocide
Turkey has protested against Taviani brothers, world-wide known Italian film directors, going to shoot a film called Lark Farm, dedicated to the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) sent complaints to the Italian MFA. Turkish Premier Erdogan drew the attention of his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi to the matter. The latter promised to do his best «not to harm Turkish-Italian relations.» After calls of the Turkish MFA, Taviani brothers agreed to mitigate the film script a bit. They reported they will change the script and will accentuate not the Armenian Genocide, but a love story. Turkey highlights it, as Euromirage sponsors the film. The sum makes 600 thousand euros. Turkey annually pays the organization 1 million euros. Thus Turks conclude that an anti-Turkish film is shot at the expense of funds from Turkey, the Marmara Istanbul newspaper reports.