Turkish Passport (film)

Turkish Passport is a 2011 Turkish documentary directed by Burak Arliel. 

The film competed in the 'European Documentary' category at the European Independent Film Festival 2012.

Synopsis
Turkish Passport tells the story of diplomats posted to Turkish embassies and consulates in several European countries, who saved numerous Jews during the Second World War. Whether they pulled them out of Nazi concentration camps or took them off the trains that were taking them to the camps, the diplomats, in the end, ensured that the Jews who were Turkish citizens could return to Turkey and thus be saved. Based on the testimonies of witnesses who traveled to Istanbul to find safety, Turkish Passport also uses written historical documents and archive footage to tell this story of rescue and bring to light the events of the time. The diplomats saved not only the lives of Turkish Jews, but also rescued foreign Jews condemned to a certain death by giving them Turkish passports.  In this dark period of history, their actions lit the candle of hope and allowed these people to travel to Turkey, where they found light.  Through interviews conducted with surviving Jews who had boarded the trains traveling from France to Turkey, and talks with the diplomats and their families who saved their lives, the film demonstrates that "as long as good people are ready to act, evil cannot overcome".

Awards and coverage at festivals

The film was shown for the first time at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2011. 
At the 2011 Moondance International Film Festival, it won 'Best Feature Documentary Award' in the Foreigner Category
Adana Golden Boll Film Festival 2011 - Feature Film Finalist Category -
Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival 2011 - Special Screening -
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival 2012 - included to program -
The European Independent Film Festival 2012 - Foreigner Category, Best Feature Documentary Finalist - 
Zagreb Jewish Film Festival  2012 - included to program -
UNSPOKEN Human Rights Film 2011 - included to program -
Amsterdam Turkish Film Festival - participated -
Yosemite Film Festival 2011 - the winner of the John Muir Award

References

External links
 Official website
 
 Filmpot page for the film

Category:2011 films
Category:Documentary films about the Holocaust
Category:English-language films
Category:Turkish documentary films
Category:Turkish films
Category:Turkish war films
Category:Films shot in Turkey
Category:Jewish Polish history
Category:Jewish Turkish history
Category:Documentary films about Nazi Germany
Category:World War II films