January 7, 2004 - 18:15 AMT
ATOM EGOYAN'S "ARARAT" TO BE SHOWN IN TURKISH CINEMAS
Atom Egoyan's "Ararat" film telling about the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire will be shown in Turkey January 16, Turkish minister of culture Erkan Mumcu stated. At that in his words, a number of episodes are expected to be cut out, as in the Turkish society opinion they contain "disgracing" scenes. Meanwhile, the showing of the film has become a serious political problem in Turkey. As Turkish media reported the other day, "Belge" company, which had bought the right of its demonstration in the country, still refrains from showing it in local cinemas due to the protest of nationalist organizations. Company director Sabahattin Chetin told journalists there were no threats against him due to the showing of the film, however disquieting messages were sent to the leadership of a number of cinemas. Thereupon, in his words, security measures will be strengthened when showing the film. In his turn leader of Turkish Idealists Levent Temiz stated they would do everything to hamper demonstration of "Ararat" in Turkey.