A new historic biopic about the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk has hit the silver screen this autumn. Starring Aras Bulut İynemli in the lead role, Mehmet Ada Öztekin’s film focuses on the years 1881 to 1919 and includes many bloody battle scenes.
The film, which is in Turkish, starts with Atatürk’s childhood. Born in Thessaloniki at the end of the 19th century, the young Mustafa Kemal is badly affected by the attacks suffered by his father at the hands of the mob. His father, Ali Rıza Bey’s business and health take a turn for the worse and he later dies.
For Zübeyde Hanım, her son is the centre of her world and she does all she can to protect him. The film charts Mustafa Kemal’s life through school and then military academy, from where he joins the Ottoman army and takes part in various military campaigns across the rapidly dwindling Ottoman Empire.
With leadership in short supply and the Ottoman’s authority failing in the face of so many revolts, Mustafa Kemal sees ‘the country is in flames’ just like his father’s business burnt by the mob. What can he do to help save his nation?
Atatürk 1881-1919 opened in Turkiye on 3 November and has been well received by Turkish audiences, scoring 9.2 out of 10 on IMDb from over 2,200 votes.
The film is now being screened in selective cinemas across Europe, including Enfield and Wood Green Cineworlds, both in North London.
The British Board of Film Classification has given Öztekin’s film a 15 rating due to the violence and injury scenes involved.
Screening Details
Title: Atatürk 1881-1919
Cast: Mehmet Günsür, Darko Peric, Aras Bulut İynemli, Songül Öden, Celile Toyon, Emre Mete Sönmez
Language: Turkish (with English subtitles)
Duration: 132 minutes
Showing at: two Cineworld cinemas – Enfield and Wood Green. Click here for more details and tickets
