He was born in Istanbul in 1959 but has been in Italy for 48 years
, a much loved director and writer:
Ferzan Ozpetek is the first interlocutor when Turkey is mentioned in Italy, especially for some tragedy.
"After 48 years in Italy - the director of the Ignorant Fairies tells ANSA - being called for this made me reflect.
Anyone who contacts me does not know that whatever happens in Italy, even the Turks are looking for me to comfort me or find out more, it is happened for the earthquake in L'Aquila or at the beginning of the pandemic when after China we seemed to be the only country infected:
I am Turkish in Italy, Italian in Turkey.
Instead, I think that this time, as with other misfortunes that have occurred, there are no nations: the Earth belongs to everyone, we are one people, we are one humanity.
This change of perspective would be good for everyone, it would really make us feel like brothers without fences.
Instead - observes Ozpetek - in my opinion referring to the 'other' is a way to remove the problem and the pain, passing it on to someone else". As for aid, Ozpetek is giving it "as everyone is doing because solidarity is one of the human drives most beautiful".
His show Ferzaneide, a sentimental journey through the story of his memories, with him on stage only to tell the audience about his artistic career but above all about his powerful feeling for life, is sold out everywhere, including the three dates in Rome from tomorrow to Ambra Jovinelli and then in subsequent ones to Parenti in Milan.
"Part of the proceeds will go to Ahbap, a Turkish platform that I trust", adds the director who a few days ago launched a solidarity appeal joined by other filmmakers to support the association which aims to create lasting cooperation networks and immediately jumped into action for the earthquake disaster to provide shelter, food and medical supplies.
"Those who bought the tickets don't even know it, I'll tell them myself in the show", says the director.
The actions of the Turkish government?
"Semi-blocking twitter is of rare malice, a tenacity, it would rather work to send aid to all places. And Assad in Syria? How can you ask for help and say that they will not go to the villages of the rebels. Shocking".