Movie is Free, Director is Being Tried

Big Man Small Love was banned off the screens after a series court cases brought against it. The Council of State, some time ago, reversed the decision to ban, and allowed the re-screening of the movie.

The first trial on April 17

The court summons prepared by an Istanbul court and delivered to Ipekci last Friday, bases the case on article 159/1 of the Turkish Penal Code. The summons read that the film insulted the "state's security forces."

The first hearing of the case brought against Handan Ipekci will be on April 17, 2003.

"I trust the independent judiciary"

Ipekci reminded that they appealed the case to the Council of State, after the movie "Big Man Small Love" was banned. The Council of State reversed the ban with majority vote, said Ipekci. "There are contradictions here," she said.

Ipekci said that the film was being re-screened since November 8, and was currently playing at the movie theatres. "And now, there is a prosecution against me. I trust the independent judiciary and hope that the case against me will be cancelled because of lack of evidence," said Ipekci. "Exactly the way the film was freed."

Story of the movie

A 75-year-old retired judge and a 5-year-old Kurdish girl, who lost all her relatives during an operation in her village, are the heroes of the movie "Big Man Small Love," the second film by Handan Ipekci. Little Hejar (Dilan Ercetin) and authoritarian retired judge Rifat (Sukran Gungor) would run into each other in Istanbul after yet another operation.

The joint lives of Rifat, who would not tolerate the use of any language other than Turkish, and the stubborn Hejar, who only speaks Kurdish, starts with conflicts. After getting used to each other, they first learn Turkish-Kurdish words, and then learn to love each other.

The film won the "Best Film Award," "Best Scenario Award," and the "Best Second Actor Award" at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, while the young Dilan Ercetin won the "Jury Special Award." (BB/EA/NM))