Sulukule: Transformation for whom?
In 2006, The 1000-year-old neighborhood of Sulukule in Istanbul was the victim of ‘Urban Transformation’. The residents, most of whom were Roma, had their houses demolished illegally and were forced to buy TOKI’s social housing apartments in Taşoluk, 40 km away from their neighborhood. Hoping to own a house, the tenants reluctantly accepted to move […]
Man at Home
Massimo is from Ethiopia and lives as a homeless person for more than two and a half years in an Athenian neighborhood. He spends his time painting relentlessly in his hut while finding food and colors for his paintings in a supermarket’s garbage can. He smokes the cigarette ends thrown by cars driving by and […]
Beyond the Station
Beyond the Station by Bassil Halabi and Mohammad Fares is a reflection of the life of an immigrant. The two authors selected a suitcase as a symbolism for migration: there is someone who is putting himself in a suitcase as they did when they left Syria and as they came to Turkey.
Roy
Living thousands of kilometers away from his beloved persons is the price Roy paid, in order to leave the war of Iraq behind him in search of a serene life towards the West. He had managed without any particular difficulties, had a stable job and could afford renting a house in Athens. “I used to […]
This is Why…
Members of the Shabia at a checkpoint in Syria. The nightmare of every Syrian oppositional is to be stopped by them. They are mistreating, torturing and killing people randomly. “This is Why…” is trying to put the spectator in the place of a Syrian civilian being stopped by two Shabia. The fear of the Syrian […]
Left Over Work in Istanbul / Taksim Meydanı − Beyoğlu
Since summer 2013, Taksim Meydanı has lost a lot of its usual sights but still many people pass by; businessmen, businesswomen, tourists, students and dustmen. The documentary focusses on dustmen and their daily walk through the Taksim Square and its surroundings. It shows their hard work of lugging around tonnes of garbage stashed in one […]
I Am No Bird
“Toyour” meets the reality of politics when the Trump administration’s travel ban forces Samer, a green card holder, to cancel international shows and puts into question the upcoming release of his album in Beirut.
Jonathan
Jonathan arrived at Kastellorizo by accident, but stayed by choice. In one of the most remote islands of Greece, Jonathan found his home, which he takes care of. He keeps it clean and tidy. Perhaps he is the happiest resident of the island and the one offering the most services. He is involved in many […]
Left Over Work in Istanbul / Galatasaray Square − Beyoğlu
“My intention was to walk from Galatasaray Square to Omer Khayyam Bridge, passing through Tarlabaşı. I was going to look at the second-hand shops along the street, and talk with tradesmen. The sight of a demolition of a building right next to the square stopped me in my tracks. The site was full of visuals […]
Left Over Work in Istanbul / Term of office − Ümraniye
The dustmen have a lot to do during the term of office: More waste to take care of. After work, they sit together, have a chat and drink tea. Also, they follow the latest vote counting updates on TV with utmost curiosity. As the number of opened ballot boxes increase from 1% to 50%, their excitement […]