Editor

At the Istanbul International Film Festival (April 13-28), a Turkish film has
been forbidden by censorship, Büyük Adam Kücük Ask by Handan Ipekci. Both the international jury and the FIPRESCI jury protested
against this.

"We, the members of the international jury, feel specially honored to
be a part of the Festival, which has grown to become a haven for independent
filmmakers. It has been brought to our attention that foreign films selected
for the film festival are not subject to censorship. We were therefore surprised
to hear that a Turkish film was withdrawn by the censors after being selected
for the national competition. We would appreciate if the proper authorities
would reconsider their decision." "We, the members of the FIPRESCI
Jury, wish to add our support to the statement by the International Jury, concerning
the withdrawal from the national competition of the film 'Büyük Adam
Kücük Ask / Hejar'."

International jury: Jerry Schatzberg (president), Estela Bravo, Hayashi Kanako,
Marco Mueller, Dan Wolman, Isil Özgentürk, Dervis Zaim.

FIPRESCI jury: György Báron (president), Thilo Wydra, Anton Giulio
Mancino, Nigel Floyd, Kutlukhan Kutlu.

"Büyük Adam Kücük Ask" has earlier been presented
at the Antalya Film Festival of 2001, and has won prizes for best film, for
best script and for three of its actors. At the Ankara Film Festival of 2001,
the film has as well won prizes for three of its actors. Also the Turkish national
section of FIPRESCI, SIYAD, has in 2002 awarded three actor prizes to the film.

Back in the 80s, an international jury headed by Elia Kazan had refused to
see films and to award prizes unless the Turkish censorship would stop interfering
with the films programmed by the festival.

Klaus Eder

General Secretary of FIPRESCI