12-11-2008

Mustafa gives quantum shove to Bond film

By Deniz Ziya Temeltas
    Quantum of Solace lost the box office race against local phenomenon Mustafa, a documentary feature on the life of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

    Despite breaking box office records in Romania and Slovenia, the latest Bond film underperformed in Turkey, with 84,195 admissions, against 127,738 for the bio-pic. Results are even more remarkable, as Casino Royale led the box office on its release two years ago, while Mustafa is entering its third week of release. To date, the film has 772,694 admissions.

    The 188-minute documentary has generated controversy over director Can Dundar's depiction of Ataturk's social habits, including drinking, smoking, and the women in his life. On November 10, while the nation mourned the 70th anniversary of his death, emotions ran high over the portrait of a Muslim hero who smoked and drank alcohol.

    Overall, Turkish films outperformed foreign entries, accounting for eight of the top 20 films. Other high performers were Barren Man - Issis Adam (55,987) fromCagan Irmak who directed 2007 box office champion My Father, My Son; Eclipse of Love (38,061); Devrim Arabalari (11,097); and a cumulative 97,628 for Nuri Bilge Ceylan's Oscar bid Three Monkeys. Turkish films produced one disappointment: The Last Hangman picked up only 4,472 admissions,