Johannes Lepsius is an influential theologian, who acts on behalf of German missionaries. In order to stop “deportation” policy of Ottoman Empire regarding Armenians; he goes to the military headquarter in Istanbul, where he can meet Enver Pasha, the most powerful general of Turkey. His aim is to build diplomatic and political pressure on Enver Pasha. However; all the arguments put forward by Lepsius was avoided by Enver in a polite and coldblooded attitude. Halfway through the meeting, the atmosphere changes and a philosophical, intellectual wordy warfare, which sometimes feels like chess and sometimes a boxing match, surrounds the scene. While Enver is trying to drag Lepsius into an “indecent proposal” step by step, Lepsius would take an important decision and leave the conversation.
Director Biography - Hacı Orman
For 10 years after he quit his study in the university, he served as the chairman of the executive board of BEKSAV (Science Education Aesthetic Culture Art Research Foundation) and chief editor of Sanat and Hayat (Art and Life) Magazine, at the same time. For two times; he was arrested, put in and got out of jail for the political reasons. Together with Ragip Zarakolu, he contributed in preparation of the books named Turks and Armenians between Ararat and Sirat, Exile Folk Songs, Testimonies – Armenian Genocide in its 90th Anniversary, Defences of the Intellectuals, published as supplements of Sanat and Hayat magazine. His short-length film Homo Politicus, which is about the Armenian Genocide occured in 1915, the first movie.
Director Statement
Homo Politicus, first fiction film produced in Turkey, about the Armenian Genocide.
By focusing on destroying nature of politics through the tense dialogues of two powerful men, one of them being a militarist and the other being a humanist, a solider and a theologian, one from East and the other from West; Homo Politicus shows us how humanism against nationality and morals against politics are naive and despair. Digging back into the starting days of Armenian Genocide in 1915, the film, on the axis of an historical dialogue, analyzes the passionate motivation, which the mentality, which planned first genocide of the century, is based on.
Credits
Hacı Orman Writer
Hacı Orman Director
Songül Özbakır Producer
Peter Von Strombeck Key Cast
Mehmet Yılmaz Key Cast
Specifications
Project Type: Short
Genres: Drama
Runtime: 19 minutes 59 seconds
Completion Date: January 30, 2015
Production Budget: 29,000 USD
Country of Origin: Turkey
Country of Filming: Turkey
Language: German
Shooting Format: Digital
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Film Color: Color
First-time Filmmaker: Yes
Student Project: No
Screenings/Awards
Istanbul Film Festival Istanbul, Turkey April 12, 2015 Not premiere because of censorship and boycott. Not premiere because of censorship and boycott.
Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival Armenia July 13, 2015 World Out of competition
NYC Independent Film Festival New York, USA October 12, 2015 USA
Louisville's International Festival Of Film Kentucky, USA October 1, 2015 USA
Pomegranate Film Festival Canada November 12, 2015 Canada
Los Angeles Cine Fest Los Angeles, USA Los Angeles premiere
Strasbourg France May 15, 2017 Specific invitation (Council of Europe)
