EVLİYA ÇELEBİ – AMULETS OF ISTANBUL:
“THE RUMOUR IS DEFINITE”
Evliya Çelebi – İstanbul’un Tılsımları:
“Tevatürle Muhakkaktır”                    

Non-Competition

Directed by Nurdan Arca
Doc. / 28 min. / 2010

Synopsis

Evliya Celebi's first book in his 10-volume Travelogue (Seyahatname) is dedicated to Istanbul. This documentary is on two legends from his book; the mythical opening of the Bosphorus, and the amulets which protect the city. Two distinguished historians, Prof. Cemal Kafadar and Prof. Hakan Karateke, make insightful interpretations in the documentary.

Selected Festivals and Awards

UNESCO's special celebration for Evliya Celebi's 400th anniversary in Paris (2011)

Nurdan ARCA

Nurdan Arca received her undergraduate degree from Bosphorus University (formerly Robert College) in Economics. She is among the first organizers of Hisar Short Film Festival in 1968. In 1969 she made her first documentary, "Bir ben vardır benden içeri", about the opening of Galata Bridge. In 1971 she began to study at Brunel University in London towards a PhD degree. After her return to Turkey she attended Istanbul University for graduate studies, as well as translating books. She received her Master's degree in 1980. In 1984 she began to write for Milliyet Sanat. In 1992 she established her documentary production company, Ajans21. Since then she has been producing and directing many documentaries, ranging from underwater to space, theater to music, biographies to monographies, and history to archeology.

Selected Filmography:

Canlar: The Alevis and Bektashis (2011)
Awakening (2008)
Bedreddin of Simavna-Inspirations (2006)
The Encounter (2000)
Dostlar Company (2000)
In Pursuit of Lost Time (1999)
Time Capsules (1998)
Space Crystals (1996)
Music of the Heart (1995)
Paintings of Longing (1986)