Gezi – 10 Years Later Kicks Off

We kicked off the #Gezi10YearsAfter event series on May 26, at the Maxim Gorki Theater. In the context of the GeZinema World Documentaries on Global Uprisings program, we screened The Outsider by Mario Rizzi, Audience Emancipated: The Struggle for the Emek Movie Theatre by the Emek Bizim Istanbul Bizim Initiative, Love is Over by Mert Kaya and Beirut Eye of the Storm by Mai Masri. Along with my co-curator Necati Sönmez, we hosted Q&A sessions following each screening, where we engaged with filmmakers, activists and scholars regarding a series of issues ranging from the role of the camera to bear witness and keep a visual memory of protest; the role of hope in activism; and strategies of resistance moving onward. It was an honor to host these wonderful films and guests. Looking forward to the upcoming weeks! 

Gezi – 10 Years Later in Images 

17 films, 12 Q&A’s and 4 weeks later, we have completed the GeZinema – Documentaries on Global Uprisings screening program, done in collaboration with my Marie Curie post-doctoral research project VIDEOACT and Maxim Gorki Theatre’s #Gezi10YearsAfter event series. It is very difficult for me to put my emotions into words, it has been a journey of encounters with brave, inspiring and dedicated activists, filmmakers and scholars. Thank you to everyone who took part in these important conversations on the power of grassroots movements, the role of art and documentary in activism, strategies for social change, and the resilience of individuals and communities. Special thanks to my co-curator, Necati Sönmez. Photos by Berk Akkaya, Esra Gültekin, Yasemin Erensoy, Monica Segura and Duygu İzdeş.