EMEK MOVIE THEATRE MUST SURVIVE!

BACK

Emek movıe

Theatre must survıve!

A venerable landmark of turkish cultural and architectural heritage, the Emek Movie Theatre and the Cercle d’Orient block complex was brought to public attention with its “restoration project”. It is in the common request, almost to the Festival request, together with the general public, that the 86-year-old Emek Movie Theatre -significant in the history of İstanbul, the history Turkish cinema, and, hosting it for the last 28 years, the Istanbul Film Festival- should be restored and reopened in its original state, without being modified, as a film and cultural centre.

As such, related institutions and establishments were invited to a meeting at İKSV Salon, in order to obtain a public announcement regarding the future of Emek Movie Theatre. Foreign and Turkish guests of the ongoing International İstanbul Film Festival will be present at the meeting. An invitation was sent to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Cultural and Natural Conservation Board, İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Beyoğlu Municipality, Turkmall, Kamer Construction and Chamber of Architects of Turkey, as well relevant parties, including representatives of interested institutions, press, film critics and cinema lovers.

Located in Beyoğlu, the state-owned Emek Movie Theatre stands as part of a 138-year-old building complex and is going under a “restoration project” which dictates that the movie theatre be demolished and a shopping mall be located in its premises with chain multiplex movie theatres inside, including a replica of Emek, which has unique ornaments and paintings on its walls and ceiling. With a capacity of 875 people, decoration and central location, Emek is arguably the most well-known movie theatre in Turkey; Emek is not only the most beautiful movie palace in Turkey but among the nicest few in Europe.

The Festival know how protest against the gonverment and the municipality.

EMEK MOVIE THEATRE MUST SURVIVE!