Turkish films scoop up three awards in Berlin

"Tepenin Ardı" (Beyond the Hill), first-time filmmaker Emin Alper's family drama that drew rave reviews following its premiere last week at the festival's Forum section, scooped up two awards in Berlin, including the Caligari Prize, a distribution prize sponsored by the German Federal Association of Communal Film Work and Filmdienst magazine, as well as a special mention for best first film, by the jury that evaluates all debut efforts featured in the festival's Competition, Panorama, Generation, Forum and Perspektive Deutsches Kino sections, Today's Zaman reports.

The Turkish-Greek co-production, starring Tamer Levent, Reha Özcan and Mehmet Özgür in its title roles, earned a cash award of 4,000 euros, shared between the director and funding for the film's distribution, thanks to the Caligari Prize.

Alper, after accepting his award at a ceremony Friday night, one day before the main prizes were announced, told reporters that renowned Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan had won the same prize 14 years ago and that he had been following the winners of this prize each year, along with other Berlinale awards, the Anatolia news agency reported. "I'm so proud and happy that I won this award. I want to thank all my cast and crew, and my wife, for their support," he added.

The second Turkish film on the Berlinale bill, "Lal Gece" (Night of Silence), which is the fifth feature by director Reis Çelik, won the Crystal Bear for Best Film in the Generation 14plus competition.

Starring Turkish silver screen legend İlyas Salman and newcomer Dilan Aksüt in its leading roles, "Night of Silence" tells of a 14-year-old girl who is forced to marry an old man. "We were deeply touched by the brilliant actors in this ... film. They let us take part in the feelings of two people who are imprisoned by family traditions that do not leave them any space for their own decision-making and needs. We were especially impressed by the film's setting -- a room where the drama unfolds. Just as for the couple, it is impossible for the audience to leave [the room]," the prize jury said in its statement.

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