Inspirations [Simavlı Bedrettin]

The documentary “Bedreddin of Simav” looks with renewed eyes at Sheik Bedreddin, whose identity, personality and world view as well as his place in the history and the present day have been interpreted in many different ways so far since the 15th century. It explores his illuminated world view which defends the living of different cultures side by side in justice and equality and stands against dogmas, prejudices and othering. It traces the footprints of him in the multi-cultured Balkans, including Bulgaria, Greece (Simavna, his place of birth) and Macedonia, where he was born and grew, and in Thrace and Anatolia, where he lived throughout. In its attempt to reveal the most real about him, the movie explores the foundations of the unification of his opponent vision with the earlier large scale risings against the Ottoman rule. The documentary proves the present day reality of the legendary personality of Sheik Bedreddin through the testimonials of his followers who survived in concealment throughout the centuries.

AWARDS

• - Best Second Film Award , 49th Festival of Grape 2009, Cyprus

FESTIVALS

• - 1001 International Documentary Festival, October 2006, İstanbul
• - 2.International Documentary Film Festival of Grape, North-Cyprus, 2008
• - 13. Boston Turkish Film Festival, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, ABD, 2008
• - Rassegna 18. Archeological Fim Festival, Roverto, İtaly, 2007
• - New York Turkish Film Festival, ABD, 2007
• - Antalya, Golden Orange Film Festival, 2007 Turkey

SCREENINGS

• - Harvard University, November 2006, Massachusetts – USA
• - II. European Anatolian Cultural Meeting, December 2006, Gaziantep – Turkey
• - Brown University, December 2006, Rhode Island. USA
• - İstanbul University, İstanbul, 2006
• - Bahçeşehir University, İstanbul, 2006
• - Galatasaray University Communication Department, April 2007, İstanbul
• - Boğaziçi University Mithat Alam Film Center, İstanbul, 2008