Interview with “White As Snow” director Selim Günes

If you were at SEEFest last year, you may remember the beautifully captured images of Turkish film WHITE AS SNOW. Created at the hands of director Selim Günes and producer Nur Günes, White As Snow ("Kar Beyaz") takes you on a vivid cinematographic journey of a nine-year old boy’s struggle to survive. Easily considered one of the most memorable Turkish films of the past few years, it is almost hard to believe that White As Snow was director Günes’ first film.

Recently SEEFest had the honor to talk with husband-wife duo Selim and Nur about the film and their current work:

Director Selim Günes

SEEFest: What was the inspiration behind the story as well as the cinematography for Kar Beyaz?

Selim & Nur: I remember that I was very much affected by the story of “Ayran” when I read it first. This was a really heart breaking story. (Note: "Ayran" is the yogurt drink featured like a welcoming character in the movie's opening.)

I wanted to express the struggle of a young boy with the nature and heavy circumstances and yet his hopes in spite of everything.

Kar Beyaz (White As Snow)

With this story I tried to tell in a cinematographic way how environmental conditions and the regime influences people's life.

 
SEEFest: What are you working on now?

S&N: We are now working on the scenario of our second project. It will be again a film adapted from a novel with the theme of love and passion.

SEEFest: Where are you working now?

S&N: The shooting will take place both in Turkey and Germany. It will be (photographed) mostly in Berlin in Germany.

SEEFest: Which films (documentaries, features, shorts, animation) have you seen recently that you would recommend to our readers?

Once Upon A Time In Anatolia

S&N: I absolutely recommend the latest film of Nuri Bilge Ceylan: “ Once Upon a Time in Anatolia”. (Note: SEEFest co-presented Ceylan's film at the 2011 AFI Fest in Hollywood).

SEEFest: What would you advise Turkish youth hoping to pursue a career in the film industry?

S&N: Actually the formula of making movie is so simple but at the same time it is very difficult. For me it means: working hard, dreaming and never giving up...