Turkish classic to be restored

ISTANBUL

The Istanbul Film Festival’s “Turkish Classic Revisited” project will be restoring the 1987 classic “Anayurt Oteli” (Motherland Hotel), adapted by Ömer Kavur from the Yusuf Atılgan novel.

“Motherland Hotel” will be screened in its restored print on its 30th anniversary as part of the 36th Istanbul Film Festival that will take place between April 5 and 16. 

The “Turkish Classic Revisited” project was initiated 10 years ago with the support of Groupama, “Motherland Hotel” is being restored by Fanatik Film.

Produced by Cengiz Ergun and Ömer Kavur, executive produced by Sadık Deveci, “Motherland Hotel” was scored by Attila Özdemiroğlu, a former recipient of the festival’s Cinema Honorary Award. 

Considered one of the most powerful literary adaptations in the history of Turkish cinema, the film stars the actor Macit Koper, who co-wrote the script with Ömer Kavur. The cast includes Serra Yılmaz, Orhan Çağman, Şahika Tekand, Osman Alyanak, Kemal İnci, Cengiz Sezici, Songül Ülkü, Ülkü Ülker, Yaşar Güner, Arslan Kacar, Osman Çağlar, and Orhan Başaran.

“Motherland Hotel” was selected as the Best Turkish Film of the Year at the 1987 Istanbul Film Festival and won the Grand Prix at the Nantes Film Festival in 1987, where Koper was also given the Best Actor Award. It won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Venice Film Festival and the Best Director and Second Best Film at the Antalya Film Festivals. The film is listed among the “10 Best Turkish Films” prepared by the Culture Ministry.