Super grandma

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Department of Cinema and Digital Media student Yağmur Canpolat's short film titled ‘Sevim,’ in which she cast her 88-year-old grandmother, has been selected as a finalist at the 44^th Istanbul Film Festival this year. The emotionally charged film, which tells the story of an elderly woman re-visiting the places she once traveled with her husband in her youth, alone years after losing her life partner, is among the 11 films nominated for first place at the festival. Canpolat, who named the film after her grandmother and focused on unconditional and lasting love, said, “My grandmother put a lot of effort into making the film beautiful, despite her fatigue. She was both happy and emotional, saying, ‘I was fortunate enough to act in my granddaughter's film.’ Being recognized among the best in Turkey with such a meaningful film is an indescribable happiness. I owe my grandmother a lot, I love her very much.”

Yağmur Canpolat, a fourth-year student at IUE Faculty of Communication Department of Cinema and Digital Media, shot the film in Izmir. Completing the filming in a short period of 48 hours, Canpolat also wrote the screenplay herself. Canpolat’s film ‘Sevim’ will meet film enthusiasts at Kadıköy Cinema on Saturday, April 19 at 16.00, and at Atlas Cinema on Monday, April 21 at 13.30 PM, as part of the Istanbul Film Festival. The film that wins the first prize in the final of the competition will be announced on April 22nd.

“MY FIRST MAKEUP IN YEARS, WILL I BECOME FAMOUS?”

Stating that being a finalist in such a deep-rooted, prestigious festival with very valuable professionals is a significant achievement, Canpolat said, “In the film, I wanted to convey the undying, unwavering, unforgettable love of an elderly woman, even after losing her husband. While thinking about ‘How can I best tell this?’, it came to my mind to put my grandmother in front of the camera. In this way, I thought I would have another unforgettable memory with my beloved grandmother. My grandmother also accepted this offer with joy. We did the filming in different areas such as Göztepe and Alsancak. My grandmother got tired from time to time during the filming. She needed plenty of rest. But she was equally happy during the filming. When our art assistant applied makeup to her for the filming, she joked, ‘My first makeup in years, will I become famous?’ We all laughed together. I had an unforgettable experience with my grandmother throughout this process. I'm glad I have such a grandmother.”

“I BELIEVED I WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL”

Canpolat continued as follows: “My grandmother’s name is Sevim, meaning love. Since I also dealt with the theme of love in the film, I thought the name Sevim would be beautiful. Based on this thought, I also named the film after my grandmother. It was a work that satisfied me. Very good and ambitious films are participating in the Istanbul Film Festival. I believed I would be successful, and when I received the news that I was a finalist, I was very happy. My heart fluttered. I am proud to be a finalist, and I hope I will also achieve first place.”

“SHE MADE US PROUD”

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Gürata, Head of IUE Department of Cinema and Digital Media, said that he was proud of his student and added, “Yağmur had also achieved first place last year at the International Adana Golden Boll Film Festival with the documentary ‘In My Early Twenties’, which she shot with her university friend Berna Oduncu. She is a very talented, hardworking person who loves her work, and I believe she will be very successful in the film industry after graduation. She has added another achievement to her successes by becoming a finalist at the Istanbul Film Festival. I congratulate Yağmur. I thank her for the pride she has given us.”