Streaming platform Mubi has canceled its Istanbul film festival at the last minute after the local authority banned the screening of opening film Queer. Director Lucy Guadagnino’s new film starring Daniel Craig, known as agent 007, was based on the gay novel by writer William Burroughs.
The film Queer does not yet have a Czech distributor. Photo: Yannis Drakoulidis | Video: A24
Istanbul’s Kadiköy district authority banned the screening due to fears of riots. According to the DPA agency, he did so with reference to the ”provocative content of the film, which could endanger public peace”.
The Mubi platform calls this an unacceptable interference with freedom of speech. ”This ban does not concern only one film, but calls into question the true essence and purpose of the festival,” said the video library, which therefore renounced the entire show. The four-day event called Mubi Fest Istanbul was supposed to last until Sunday in the Turkish capital, with 15 films on the program.
Queer premiered the month before last at the Venice Film Festival. In it, Daniel Craig plays a drug-addicted American homosexual who falls in love with a young man in 1950s Mexico. According to world agencies, the film contains, among other things, erotic scenes.
According to the Turkish news agency Bianet, which is close to the opposition, this is another of the many backlashes the LGBT+ community in Istanbul is facing from the local authorities. In recent months, they have banned the organization of sports games, picnics and tea parties for members of sexual minorities, just as in the past they made it impossible to show other films with similar themes.
Current and past bans have been issued by the authorities of the local governor, who is appointed by the government. It is led by the conservative AKP party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Unlike Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, Iraq, Egypt or the United Arab Emirates, homosexuality is not a criminal offense in Turkey.
According to the DPA agency, it still encounters significant opposition from the conservative part of society, and the current government, which adheres to Islam, has sharply defined itself several times in the past towards LGBT+ persons. The largest opposition CHP party, of which Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is a member, on the other hand, claims to support queer people.
Mubi, a streaming service that focuses on art films, operates in 195 countries and has around 15 million subscribers. It is based in London, but it was founded in 2007 by a Turkish businessman, Efe Cakarel, the server of the Sky News station explains why the company wanted to organize the festival in Istanbul.
The movie Queer was based on the novel by the famous American writer William Burroughs, which was published in the Czech translation by Josef Rauvolf under the title Teplouš. The adaptation was directed by Luca Guadagnino, the Italian author of the dramas Give Me Your Name or Rivals.
Actor Daniel Craig became famous for his role as agent 007 James Bond, since 2006 he has appeared in five Bond films, including the latest No Time to Die.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Film Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us today. We have seen some significant events in the world of film and freedom of expression, particularly surrounding the cancellation of the Mubi Fest Istanbul. To discuss this, we have with us Dr. Emma Carter, a film scholar and an expert on LGBTQ+ cinema. Welcome, Dr. Carter!
Dr. Emma Carter: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: The cancellation of the Mubi Fest due to the ban on screening the opening film, Queer, has raised many eyebrows. Can you provide some context on what Queer is about, and why this film might have triggered such a strong reaction from local authorities?
Dr. Carter: Absolutely. Queer, directed by Luca Guadagnino, is based on William Burroughs’ novel and explores the life of a gay man in the 1950s. It stars Daniel Craig and incorporates themes of love, addiction, and the struggle for identity. The portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships and the vivid erotic scenes have historically elicited controversy, especially in more conservative societies. The authorities in Istanbul likely perceived it as provocative, fearing it could incite violence among viewers.
Editor: That makes sense. The Kadiköy district authority cited potential public unrest as their rationale for the ban. How important is the idea of cultural sensitivity when it comes to showcasing films that tackle LGBTQ+ themes?
Dr. Carter: Cultural sensitivity is essential, but it must be balanced with freedom of expression. Festivals should serve as platforms to present diverse narratives, including those from marginalized communities. While I acknowledge that cultural contexts vary, it is troubling when governments use the notion of “public peace” as a reason to silence voices.
Editor: Mubi’s response was quite forceful, asserting that this ban undermines the festival’s true essence. How critical do you think film festivals are in advocating for freedom of expression and representation?
Dr. Carter: Film festivals play a crucial role in advocacy. They not only provide visibility for underrepresented stories but also challenge societal norms. When a festival is canceled or a film is prohibited, it sends a message that those narratives are unwelcome. This situation illustrates the ongoing struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Istanbul, highlighting a broader issue of censorship in various forms around the world.
Editor: You mentioned that this is part of a wider trend of opposition to the LGBTQ+ community in the region. Could you elaborate on that?
Dr. Carter: Certainly. The ban on Queer is part of a growing pattern where local authorities have restricted gatherings and events for LGBTQ+ individuals. It seems to reflect a larger political climate where the rights of sexual minorities are increasingly under threat. Such actions not only stifle artistic expression but also hamper the community’s sense of safety and belonging.
Editor: It’s disheartening to hear. What impact do you see these cancellations having on filmmakers and audiences, especially those from marginalized communities?
Dr. Carter: The immediate impact is detrimental—filmmakers may feel discouraged from exploring these narratives, and audiences miss out on critical stories that resonate with their experiences. Over time, this can create a chilling effect, stifling creativity and limiting the conversations we can have about identity, love, and acceptance. However, it can also spark resilience within these communities, leading to underground movements and alternative platforms for storytelling.
Editor: That’s an important perspective. What do you think can be done to support LGBTQ+ storytelling in hostile environments?
Dr. Carter: Supporting organizations that advocate for LGBTQ+ rights is essential. Additionally, creating safe spaces for discussions and screenings, even if informal, can help maintain visibility. The global film community can be instrumental in rallying behind films like Queer through international support, raising awareness, and fostering a culture where diverse stories can thrive without fear of censorship.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights. It’s crucial that we keep these discussions alive and continue to advocate for freedom of expression, regardless of geographic boundaries.
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me and for shedding light on this important issue.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Let’s continue to support films that challenge societal norms and give a voice to the marginalized. Until next time!