Hazar Ergüçlü draws attention to miners' families in Altın Koza award speech
Hazar Ergüçlü, who received the Best Actress Award, brought the suffering of miners and their families to the agenda in her speech.
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The awards for the National Feature Film Competition at the 33rd International Adana Altın Koza Film Festival have been presented. During the night, the Best Actress Award was given to Hazar Ergüçlü for her performance in the film "MUTTER: Bir Annenin Hatıra Defteri" (MUTTER: A Mother's Diary).
In her acceptance speech, Ergüçlü thanked those who contributed to the film's creation and the jury members, stating that it has been difficult for everyone to find joy for a long time. The actress noted that she was honored to have her hard work recognized.
"It has been very difficult for all of us to find joy in things for a very long time. We wake up to a different nightmare every day. In a period where being yourself is so dangerous, and even being suppressed, in this place and our industry where everyone is being forced into a single mold, having my hard work recognized has honored me greatly."
Continuing her speech, Ergüçlü touched upon the pain experienced by miners and their families, explaining that her own family has a history in mining. The actress stated that her grandmother and grandfather were coal workers and that her grandfather worked in copper mines, adding that she remembers her family's labor every time she sees a miner.
Ergüçlü expressed her deep sorrow upon seeing Yaşar, the son of miner Kerim Ören, who lost his life in Soma at the age of 37, saying, "We have been exposed to so much pain for so long that I feel as if we have become numb."
"When I see miners' children crying, I feel ashamed of living, of the breath I take. I am not doing this to ease my conscience or to be a spokesperson for anything right now. It is just that these injustices are too much for me, and no matter what I do, I cannot cast this sadness out of me."
In her speech, Ergüçlü asked, "Are we going to live with injustice? How are we going to continue like this?" and apologized to Yaşar for only being able to remember him. The actress concluded her words by saying, "Still, we have only one hope left. And we will not give that up either."