Acclaimed Turkish Director Reis Çelik Unveils New Film "Night of Blindness"

Celebrated Turkish director Reis Çelik introduced his latest film, Night of Blindness, at a media event during the ongoing Shanghai International Film Festival on June 14.

The Turkish-German co-production, making its world premiere at the festival, has been selected for the Golden Goblet Award Main Competition. 

Night of Blindness is the second installment in Çelik’s planned "Night Trilogy." The first film, Night of Silence(2012), won the Crystal Bear award at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival.

Based on Çelik's real-life experience, the film is set during Turkey's 1980 military coup and follows Fatma, a left-wing activist on the run. Hiding in a cramped space between wooden planks, she must trust a group of construction workers she has never met to help her avoid capture.

While Çelik adapted the story from first-hand knowledge, he explained why he chose a female protagonist for the movie. 

"Many countries are no strangers to political oppression, and most similar films feature male protagonists,” he said. “By having a female protagonist, I hope to give voice to women in this genre."

Çelik added that as a filmmaker he hoped to shed light on “certain aspects of reality that are being downplayed and ignored.” 

He expected Chinese audiences would relate to the film because “Turkey and China have a lot in common in terms of worldview and history.”

Two lead actors from the film shared the event with Reis Çelik. Both Aydin Orak, who plays the sheriff, and İşdar Gökşeven, who portrays a military officer, are visiting Shanghai for the first time and said the experience has been “very enjoyable.”