Fifth Turkish film festival opens in South Africa

A Turkish film festival in South Africa is opening for the fifth time on Friday, with screenings planned for cities across the country.

Cape Town's Cinema Nouveau will host the first screenings, which are back by the Turkish embassy in South Africa.

"This year it's going to be the fifth time that we are bringing Turkish films to the attention of the South African public," said Elif Comoglu Ulgen, Turkish ambassador.

She said the festival, which will run for several weekends until Oct. 22 will also take place at cinemas in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban.

The showcase movie of the festival will be Annemin Yarasi (My Mother's Wound), a drama directed by Ozan Aciktan which focuses on the 1992-1995 Bosnian War.

Another film to be showcased is Nadide Hayat (Unique Life), a comedy by Cagan Irmak, one of Turkey's most popular film makers. The film tells a story of Nadide, who searches for happiness after her husband's death.

"The festival is a great opportunity for South Africans to get to know Turkey and Turkish culture more closely through the best examples of Turkish contemporary cinema," according to the Turkish Embassy.

The festival is supported by Turkey's foreign affairs, tourism and culture ministries.