Turned His Life into a Film, Reached the Finalist Stage at the Golden Orange

Ömer Nakay, a student in the Department of Cinema and Digital Media at Izmir University of Economics (IUE), became a finalist at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival with his movie ‘Özge’, which was inspired by his own life. Portraying the emotional changes, feeling of alienation, and effort to adapt experienced by a young person returning to his hometown of Izmir from Istanbul, Nakay also directed the 15-minute experimental fiction film. Competing for first place in the student films category of the festival, which will be held for the 63rd time this year, Nakay said, “About 5 years ago, I chose a new path for myself by moving from Istanbul to Izmir for university. I got so used to Izmir that, even though I was born in Istanbul, I sometimes feel like a stranger now when I return to the places where my childhood passed. So, I depicted the changes I experienced and the sense of alienation I felt toward my own city in the film.”

Ömer Nakay, a student in the Department of Cinema and Digital Media within the Faculty of Communication at IUE, carried out the two-week film shoot in Izmir and Istanbul. Believing it suited the theme of the film, Nakay gave his film and main character the name ‘Özge’, which means “other” and “different.” His friends also supported him in the process: Duygu Ürkmez, Ömer Yıldırım, Zeynep Apsin, and Ali Berk Özkan starred in the film, while Dila Şengezer, a fellow student from the same department, served as the assistant director.

“I LOVED IT SO MUCH, I BECAME LIKE AN IZMIR NATIVE”

Set to compete for first place at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival to be held on October 24–31, Nakay expressed his happiness at taking part in such an important festival as a young director devoted to cinema. Stating that the film titled ‘Özge’ carries traces of his own life and is a project he will never forget, Nakay said, “When coming to Izmir for university, I had some hesitations. I wondered whether I would like it, whether I would adapt, or if I was making the right choice. I knew that a new city meant a new life. But I formed such wonderful friendships in Izmir and embraced this place so deeply that all those hesitations were left behind. I was born in Istanbul, but it feels as though I'm originally from Izmir. I wanted to transfer what I went through, and the happiness I felt during this period, onto the screen. In a way, I filmed a part of my life. We put a tremendous amount of effort into the shooting, while also experiencing great excitement at every stage of the film. Now, seeing that effort rewarded at such an important festival makes me even happier. Moreover, knowing that the emotions I conveyed starting from my own story will reach others is deeply meaningful to me.”

“I TOLD IT THROUGH THE LANGUAGE OF CINEMA”

Nakay continued as follows: “In all of our lives, there are new beginnings, changes, and periods where we rediscover ourselves. I tried to convey these through the experimental language of cinema. Now, knowing that my film will meet film lovers from all over Turkey both excites me and encourages me to produce new projects. Just competing alongside so many valuable films at the festival is a very significant experience in itself. Of course, I would love to win an award, but even the point I have reached today is a great success for me. I am very grateful to all my friends who contributed to bringing this film to life, as well as my professors who supported me.”