Onur Saylak’s debut feature film ‘MORE’ produced by Ay Yapim, is returning with four awards from the national competition of the 24th International Adana Film Festival where the premiere of the movie held at. ‘MORE’ left its mark on the festival by winning Yilmaz Guney, SİYAD (Cinema Writers Society) Best Film, Adana Audience and Promising Young Actor awards.

 

Produced by Ay Yapim, co-produced by b.i.t arts, directed by Onur Saylak, ‘MORE’ won four awards at the 24th International Adana Film Festival where the premiere of the movie held at. ‘MORE’ which is focusing on a father and son story won Yilmaz Guney, SİYAD (Cinema Writers Society) Best Film, Adana Audience Award, while one of the leading actors of the movie Hayat Van Eck was awarded with Promising Young Actor Award.

Adapted from the novel of the same title by Hakan Gunday, ‘MORE’ received praised comments from the critics with the impressive acting performances and the striking expression language of director Onur Saylak. Saylak who received the awards at the ceremony, expressed his feelings with the following words: “To participate in this festival with ‘MORE’ is worthy enough. Being part of a selection with many good directors is incredibly enjoyable. What matters is integration with the audience. We are very happy to have accomplished this as a team. Both the Audience Award, SİYAD Award and Yilmaz Guney Award from the jury have shown that our film is appreciated by all the audience and that we are on the right track.”

 

In the movie, Hayat Van Eck, who gave life to the character of Gaza at the age of fourteen, and who had just have first acting experience with a full note from the audience, received a special thanks from famous screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga who is the President of the International Competition Jury. Hayat Van Eck won Promising Young Actor Award from the jury of national competition. “I have had an unforgettable night with a special thanks from Guillermo Arriaga and the award,” said young actor Hayat Van Eck. 

 

The festival journey of ‘MORE’ which came across with great interest of press and festival participators at the premiere in Turkey that took place on Thursday, September 28th, will continue with the film festivals in Pusan (South Korea), Mumbai (India) and Sao Paulo (Brazil).

 

SUMMARY

 

Gaza is a 14-year-old boy who lives on the Aegean coast of Turkey. Together with his domineering father, he helps smuggle refugees from war-torn countries to Europe, giving them temporary lodgings and scant food until they attempt the crossing. Gaza dreams of escaping this life, but can’t help being drawn into a dark world of immortality, exploitation and human suffering. Can you avoid becoming a monster when you’ve been raised by one? Onur Saylak’s debut feature, adapted from the award-winning novel of the same title by Hakan Gunday, one of the first novels to document the refugee crisis in Europe, ‘MORE’ is the gripping story of a boy that gets to grow up in a world where there’s no room for innocence.