
Turkish Police Arrest Director of Film Featuring President Erdogan at Gunpoint
Filmmaker Ali Avci was detained by authorities in Turkey on Thursday, July 13, for directing a controversial film that shows President Recep Tayyip Erdogan under gunpoint during a bloodly coup d’etat, AFP reports. Avci is accused of being involved with the group that unsuccessfully tried to oust Erdogan last year. Another man, Fetullah Karabiber, who authorities found in Avci’s house, was also detained.
Titled Uyanis (Awakening), Avci’s film has not yet been released in theaters. Its trailer, which features the killing of Ergodan’s family, including his wife and son, in their house in Kisikli sparked the controversy. Avci previously produced Reis (the Chief), a biopic about Erdogan’s childhood and the beginning of his career in politics, which premiered in March, one month ahead of a referendum to boost Erdogan’s powers.