by Rami Off Work » 17 Feb 2007 02:05
During many years I lived in Canada, I was faced with the unfortunate frontation of what this movie meant to those who watched it. I was looked at as if I was barbaristic or in best case scenerio, a decent guy who was an exception to the land of brutal people called Turkey.
Did I try to explain people that the movie was no reflection of the truth about people or life of the Turkish? Yes. Did it help at all? No, how could I be more powerful and effective in my explanations or in my denials than a blockbuster hit that totally contradicted my words!
Imagine someone asking you where you are from, your MOTHER LAND, and once you answer, you get a funny look and a comment that follows with ahhh, Midnight Express... So, this was not just a movie, this was the only marketing that was done for Turkey for such a long time. I even remember renting the video of this movie from the newly opened video store in our university campus and paying the total fine so i wouldnt have to return it thus no one else could rent it:)
I am happy that the truth comes out now. As a saying goes, better late than never!
It may look like many people know of Turkey much better now and that Midnight Express thoughts are long gone. No, unfortunately, there are still many people around the world who will not come to Turkey because of this movie. So thank you inadvance for spreading the word or should I say the truth!
Rami