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Turkey’s highest-grossing film playing in Doha

Oct 01, 2012

By Anealla Safdar

‘Battle of 2 Empires – Fetih 1453’ is now playing in Doha’s theatres.

The historical Turkish picture – a timely release amid resurgent national pride for all things Ottoman – premiered in February. In CGI and after using the largest green-room Turkey has probably ever seen, director Faruk Aksoy has retold Constantinople’s fall. The 160-minute film has captured the hearts of over 5.5 million Turks so far; over 1 million of those watched it in opening weekend.

Turkish Prime Minister Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave the film a positive review, reportedly, after a special screening. Others have pointed to director’s Faruk Aksoy’s use of historical license.

Opinions aside, the nostalgic action movie has enjoyed a number of blockbusting superlatives. ‘Fetih 1453’ is the most expensive Turkish film to date (with a budget of $17million (QAR 25,473,700) and since its domestic premiere, has become the country’s highest grossing film in cinema history.

The story is well known…

Scene from the movie 'Battle of 2 Empires: Fetih 1453'

…in 1453, Ottoman Turks surrounded the Byzantine capital of Constantinople. The Sultan Mehmet II, inspired by the words of Prophet Mohammed, launches a campaign to release the city from Roman Emperor Constantine XI.

“My biggest goal was to show the glorious success of my country,” director Aksoy said. “Of course, ‘Fetih 1453’ was not made as a documentary…Some speculative changes, which were necessary for the movie’s expression, were made.”

The figures are high…

  • … a total of 15,000 extras took part.
  • Some 44,000 metres of fabric were used to tailor the cast’s costumes.
  • The promotional trailer’s budget was $600,000 (QAR 2,183,460).
  • Some 250 horses and 40 water buffalos were used in the film.
  • Over 10,000 pieces of war equipment were produced as props.

The film is playing now…

…in Doha, dubbed in English, with Arabic subtitles.
City Center – 11am, 3.15pm, 7.30pm, 11.45pm
Landmark – 10.30pm
The Mall – 10.30pm

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Battle of 2 Empires: Fetih 1453 - Trailer

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