Turkish Cinema 2008: Commercial Appeal of Local Films

Nov 19, 2008–Cagan Irmak's romantic drama “Alone,” formerly Barren Man connected with Turkish audiences in its second week, topping the box office with 241,974 admissions. The film is the story of a single man who slowly breaks out of his cocoon after falling in love on the backstreets of Istanbul. Irmak's earlier film was “My Father, My Son,” the 2007 box office champion.

It was another disappointing showing for “Quantum of Solace,” with 55,453 admissions on its second week, while biopic “Mustafa” fell to second place with additional 79,025 tickets sold, reaching a total of 967,932. The other notable entry was High School Musical 52,533, getting teen attention with Disney's marketing drive.

With two highly anticipated comedies in the wings, Ottoman Republic opening November 21 and Cem Yilmaz's A.R.O.G., local productions will secure more than half of the Turkish box-office share.