The second part of a historic biopic about the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk has been released internationally and is now screening in several cinemas across London.
Starring Aras Bulut İynemli in the lead role, Mehmet Ada Öztekin’s two-part movie charts Atatürk’s life from his birth in Thessaloniki in 1881 through to 1919 and the start of the Turkish War of Independence.
Öztekin’s first film put the spotlight on the early part of Atatürk’s life, depicting scenes from his childhood with his father and mother, his entry into the military, the shaping of his world views and culture, and the failing Ottoman Empire all around him.
The second part turns to Atatürk’s experiences on the battlefield, starting where the first film ended, with the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. Having successfully passed this big test, Atatürk faces major new battles on the eastern front against the Russians and then against the British in Syria.
It is in these battles that Mustafa Kemal’s reputation as a top military office is cemented, ending World War I as the only Ottoman officer who was undefeated. But despite all his success, the future founder of the Turkish Republic faces a bad surprise upon his return to Istanbul.
Directed by Mehmet Ada Öztekin and written by Necati Şahin, who is best known for writing hit Netflix period drama The Club/ Kulüp (2021), set in 1950s Istanbul, the first part of Atatürk 1881 – 1919 scored highly with movie goers, receiving an average 8.8 out of 10 on IMDb.
Winning hordes of new fans for his portrayal of Atatürk is Aras Bulut İynemli, who is best known for his roles in As Time Goes By, Magnificent Century, The Pit, and Miracle in Cell No.7. Bulut İynemli’s sharp portrayal of arguably the most important Turk in modern history has been well received by film critics and Turks alike.
The film’s other key cast members include Songül Öden (Gümüş, Umutsuz Ev Kadınları), Mehmet Günsür (Love Likes Coincidences, Kanaga), Alican Barlas (Equalizer 2,Millennia Man), and Lidija Kordic (Mocvara (2020), Working Class Goes to Hell).
Atatürk 1881 – 1919 (P2) is now being screened in select London cinemas; three in North London: Enfield and Wood Green Cineworld, and Odeon Luxe Lee Valley, and Cineworld Feltham in West London.
The British Board of Film Classification has given Öztekin’s latest film another 15 rating due to its bloody scenes of war.
Film Screening
Title: Atatürk 1881 – 1919 (P2)
Classification: 15 rating
Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Language: Turkish with English subtitles
Dates: released in the UK on Thursday 4 January 2024
Screenings showing the film:
- Enfield Cineworld Cinema, EN1 1YQ
- Feltham Cineworld Cinema, TW17 7LX
- Wood Green Cineworld Cinema, N22 6LU
- Odeon Luxe Lee Valley, N9 0AS
