|
"Hrant Dink has long been a voice for tolerance and understanding, and it is
inconceivable that this message was not heard by the criminal who took his life
away,” says “Screamers” director Carla Garapedian.
Dink was the editor of the Agos newspaper and was shot to death on the street in
front of his office Friday in Istanbul. Garapedian interviewed Dink in Istanbul
for “Screamers” to discuss the pressures being faced by people who want to speak
freely about the Armenian genocide - notably himself, Orhan Pamuk and publisher
Ragip Zaracolou. In the film, he explains that many people in Turkey cannot
comprehend that their predecessors would be perpetrators of genocide. "Because
they're against genocide and wouldn't commit it themselves, they can't believe
their ancestors would have done such things either." It’s a battle, he said, for
hearts and minds.
"Dink knew very well the danger of speaking freely for what he believed in,”
says Garapedian. “Like his friend Orhan Pamuk, he was under prosecution, under
Article 301, for 'insulting the Turkish state.'" “There has to be a process for
a people to have the right to know the truth," Dink told Garapedian in Turkey.
"The progressive elements of Turkey are working in this direction and those
outside should help us in this direction."
On Friday, Dink lost his fight for peace and democracy in Turkey. “When I
interviewed him for the film he told me his life had been threatened many
times,” says Garapedian. "They are always making threats by phone or email,”
Dink told her. “I cannot be as free as normal people, I have to be careful,
always looking over my shoulder." Dink spoke about his friend, Nobel
prize-winner Orhan Pamuk, who has also faced daily threats after saying a
million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Turks.
After "Screamers" was released in Los Angeles last December, Garapedian asked
the Turkish government for a response to the film. Weeks later, the government
issued a statement saying that the Turkish government would redouble its efforts
to combat the "lies" being disseminated by the Armenian diaspora. Yesterday, the
government condemned the killing of Hrant Dink. "Whatever they have said, I can
only think their call to deny the genocide sent a green light to those forces of
extremism in Turkey that are only too ready to rely on the gun," said
Garapedian.
Last week "Screamers," which examines genocide denial in the last century, from
the Armenian Genocide, to the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda and Darfur, was shown
at the Library of Congress, to a standing-room only crowd of over 200 people.
Attendees included 7 members of Congress and numerous young staffers all among
the over 100 million fans of the band, System of a Down, who are featured in the
film. The event was sponsored by Congressman Adam Schiff, Save Darfur and the
ANCA. Dink's words were heard by members of Congress and echoed in the halls of
the Library of Congress. As Dink told Garapedian, "Those who live in a democracy
may not be able to comprehend why someone can not accept their past. What they
may not realize is that the person they are talking to is not as open-minded as
they are."
"The last time I saw him was in November for our AFI premiere in Los Angeles,
smiling as usual," said Garapedian. "He was a true democrat with a big heart and
the courage to move forward, no matter the danger. Dink, in his own way, was a
Screamer. I feel very honored to have known him."
Last Sunday, the director of the film spoke at Fresno State. She teamed
up with a rock band to raise awareness of genocide around the world.
Screamers' is a documentary that uses music from System of a Down to expose
genocides in the 20th Century. The band's members are all decedents of survivors
from the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
"Through their music, we actually bring the emotions and the identification with
the human beings involved in genocide. We tell the story in a very personal
point of view," Carla Garapedian said. [check
short video interview with Carla through ABC news here]
Carla Garapedian has released an official statement concerning Dink's death,
read it Here.
Screamers is opening tomorrow, January 26th, 2007 in the following
theaters:
AMC Empire 25
234 West 42nd St.
New York, NY 10036
42nd Street Between 7th and 8th Avenues
Showtimes: 212-398-3939
Guest Services: 212-398-2597
..................
AMC Hoffman 22
206 Swamp Fox Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22...314
Eisenhower Ave and Telegraph Road in Alexandria
Showtimes: 703-998-4AMC (4262)
Guest Services: 703-236-1086
and already running in the following theater:
Edwards Fresno Stadium 21 & IMAX
150 Paseo del Centro
Fresno, CA 93720
Tel.: 559-447-3247
|
