Genocide Drama Helmer: History Belongs To Us, The People

GENOCIDE DRAMA HELMER: HISTORY BELONGS TO US, THE PEOPLE

October 21, 2014 – 18:25 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The award-winning Turkish-German author of the
“The Cut” Genocide survivor drama, said the film was not political,
nor was it about the Genocide per se, Tert.am reported.

“The Cut” tells the story of an Armenian man, Nazareth Manoogian,
who after surviving the Genocide learns that his twin daughters may
be alive, and goes on a quest to find them.

In an interview with Evrensel, Fatih Akin said in making the film
he was inspired by a book written by Hassan Cemal, the grandson of
Cemal Pasha who masterminded the atrocities.

“If the grandson of someone who was responsible for the 1915 massacres
used the word, why shouldn’t I? The book is sold freely and displayed
on shop-windows,” he noted.

“I didn’t search for the topic; it found me. It was always of interest
to me, especially when it was turned into a taboo. When something is
banned, you become curious and studious. ”

Asked whether the topic still remains a taboo in Turkey, Akin
notes a lot of changes since the assassination of Hrant Dink, the
editor-in-chief of Agos Turkish-Armenian weekly.

“If, seven years ago when Dink was killed, you tried to speak about
the Genocide in any cafe, those sitting at the table would resist. You
don’t have to whisper about it now,” he said.

Akin blamed propaganda for diverting Turkish society from the
historical truth: “If a nation was permanently cheated by historians
and politicians [who said] ‘nothing of the kind happened; it’s a big
lie’ and heard nothing else from their families, books and media,
I cannot blame them.”

“But the politicians’ call to leave history to historians is wrong.

History belongs to us, the people,” he added.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress