Investigation opened against director Kazım Öz over the film 'Zer'

Öz, who was summoned to testify in an investigation opened on the grounds of making propaganda for a terrorist organization, made a statement regarding the matter on his social media account.

In his statement, Öz said: "I have been summoned to testify for a new investigation opened against me. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has alleged that I committed 'propaganda for a terrorist organization' due to the YouTube screening of the feature film Zer, which I directed and produced! I am now being targeted for punishment with a lawsuit over the film Zer, which was supported by the Ministry of Culture at the time, and then had some of its scenes censored by the same ministry. Even though I was acquitted in another case previously opened against me... It is clear that the prosecutors are struggling to find a reason! The film Zer is not a propaganda film. If you want to see propaganda films, turn on your TRT and look there! Filing a lawsuit over the YouTube screening of a feature film that has been released in theaters, shown at international festivals, and won awards shows the level that censorship and self-censorship in the field of art have reached in our country. But we, as independent and free artists, will allow neither your censorship nor our own self-censorship! I leave it to the public's discretion whether my film, which continues to be screened on my YouTube channel, constitutes a crime. As I stated in my testimony, I am a director; I decide which subject to choose and how to tell that story."

On the other hand, Kazım Öz had previously been tried on allegations of "membership in an organization" and, despite facing a request for a prison sentence ranging from 7 years and 6 months to 15 years, was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

WHAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE FILM ZER?

The film covers the events experienced by Jan, who comes to Turkey from New York to trace an old Dersim folk song, as he researches the origins of this song.

The 2016 feature film was released on April 21, 2017. It held its premiere as part of the 36th International Istanbul Film Festival.

News Source: 12punto