28th THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
5 MARCH → 15 MARCH 2026
Segments: Human Rights

Italy-Turkey 2013 60 ProRes Color
Directors' statement: “A snapshot of what we saw and what we were told in Istanbul. We collected voices from students, lawyers, architects, journalists, activists, young and old, rich and poor; some of them were angry, some joyful, others brave or frightened. We started with the peaceful occupation of Gezi Park. The joy aroused in opposing what was thought to be an absurd choice: transforming the park into a shoping mall. Then came the violent repression, the extensive use of coercion by the State. The protesters' surprise when faced with such brutality and their silent reaction. Taksim Square and the multitude of people that took part in the revolt. The censorship tried to hide the protest from the media and leave it out of a public discourse. We have tried to represent the plurality of the protesters, so different from each other, yet united in an unexpected alliance against the abuses of power.”