The premier of the film “Signal” prepared by IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation to depict the attack on the Mavi Marmara ship and the Israeli oppression, was screened at the Atlas 1948 Cinema. Many names from the world of arts and culture attended the event.

Actual scenes were also used

The short film also included actual footages of the attack. The 19-minute work was filmed on a plateau in Istanbul with Yavuz Yıldırım as producer, Recep Köse as director, Celal Topçu as director of photography, Sefa Yumuşak as editor and music by Yücel Arzen.

“Those who considered themselves undefeatable were mistaken”

Director Recep Köse shared his view regarding “Signal.” Köse explained that Mavi Marmara disappointed Israel and certain global powers who considered themselves undefeatable and unstoppable. Köse added, “Of course, the Mavi Marmara incident has many different meanings and dimensions for everyone. Although we encountered the impact more from the political dimension, millions of people in many geographies of the world realized something very important: those who considered themselves undefeatable and unstoppable were totally mistaken. In reality, for us, the spirit of Mavi Marmara stands before us as a source of inspiration. And it clearly reveals who the real criminals in the Palestinian issue really are. Basically, in the scenario, we concentrated more on this aspect of the Mavi Marmara incident.”

“We attempted to portray the blockade and embargo in Palestine”

Köse said “Although the scenario describes the attack on the Mavi Marmara on the eve of May 31, when we look deeper into the story, we actually see the massacre that Israel is carrying out in Palestine, and again the kind of obstructions and manipulation Israel implements to prevent the world from hearing about this massacre.” He added that although the film shows that the event took place in the ship’s passenger quarters, it symbolically represents the blockade and embargo in Palestine.

Köse continued: “Even though the scenario is leading us to chaos from the very beginning, psychologically it offers the audience the chance to empathize on what is really happening in the region.”

“Everyone on the ship displayed an honorable stance”

Giving a short speech at the premier, IHH General Secretary Durmuş Aydın, one of the participants on Mavi Marmara, reminded the audience that Mavi Marmara set out to oppose the Israeli oppression and deliver aid to Gaza that is under blockade. Aydın said “That night, everyone on Mavi Marmara displayed an honorable stance. We are campaigning to continue this stance. Mavi Marmara was an appeal to oppose these injustices and oppression. We must do anything possible so that future generations are equipped with this awareness. I would like to thank everyone who was involved in making this film.”

In the event, the Chairman of the Mavi Marmara Association Ismail Songür and author Yusuf Kaplan delivered their welcoming speech, and then the film team answered the questions of the audience.