EYMİR

Things should belong to those who do well by them. Children to motherly women that they may thrive. And the valley to those who water it, that it may bear fruit.

Bertolt Brecht

Eymir Lake was an unwooded area at the beginning of 60s. After METU is founded; students, academicians and local people started to plant trees then regenerated, bloomed this area. Reforestation efforts was awarded world famous Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1995. However, at the same time interest groups realized unearned income potential of this area. METU is accused that lake is closed to community and polluted. In recent years, this debate has increased steadily. Today, some politicians argue that lake need to be taken from METU by citing new laws. At the same time skyscrapers rising and construction of new buildings continues apace around the lake.

“Eymir” documentary tells the story of reforestation and regenaration of Eymir Lake and ask questions about construction pressure around this lake.

Director: Yasin Semiz

Music: Ayyuka, Hayvanlar Alemi, Ezginin Günlüğü, Zero Project

Voice over: R. Onur Duru

Editing: Cem Özer, Yasin Semiz

Cameraman: Emrah Turan, Turgay Al

Featuring: Meryem Beklioğlu, Ali Hakkan, Tarık Şengül, Meltem Yılmaz, Bilgin Kaftanoğlu, Mustafa Yetiş, Murat Yumrutaş, Neşet Kocabıyıkoğlu, Esen Faruk Özsan, Tuncer Sümer, İsa Demirtaş

Festivals and Awards

TRT Documentary Days Marmara University Special Price

İstanbul International Architecture and Urban Films Festival 3rd best documentary award

Özgür Filmler Festival Jury Special Prize

1001 Belgesel Film Festival selection

Sürdürülebilir Yaşam Film Festivali selection

Ayvalık Film Festival selection

Labor Film Festival selection

Boston Turkish Film Festivali documentary competition

Antalya Golden Orange documentary competition finalist (competition canceled because of censorship)