Hollywood Foreign Press welcomes new Turkish member

By Ovunc Kutlu

NEW YORK

Turkey now has voting power in Hollywood, Barbaros Tapan, the new Turkish member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) that conducts the annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony, told Anadolu Agency.

“[The] Golden Globes, which precedes the Oscars each year, should not only be seen as an awards ceremony. Founded by foreign journalists in 1943, HFPA activities carry upmost importance in the film and television industries," according to Tapan, who became one of the 93 members of HFPA last May.

“Now, Turkey has voting power in Hollywood.”

Tapan noted that he tried for seven years to be accepted as a HFPA voting member, and emphasized that his membership would come into play for Turkish producers who want to take a step into the U.S. film and television industry and make a name for themselves.

Turkish television series have been increasingly viewed in Middle Eastern and Latin American countries in recent years.

"Turkish series have overstepped the country's borders. Foreigners have been watching our series. Our producers have also broken the boundaries of Turkey. Some of the Turkish actors and producers are renown right now.

Those are very important for the future," Tapan said.

Turkish cinema, on the other hand, still has some room to develop, according to Tapan, who said his country’s filmmakers will be accepted at festivals in the U.S. and around the world if they concentrate more on independent productions.

"Independent filmmakers will be heard more if they show up in festivals with bolder movies. They will begin to get nominations in American festivals. As I witness young Turkish people studying film and television in the U.S., my hopes get higher, and I see a brighter future," he explained.

Tapan urged young Turks in the film and television industry to develop in all aspects possible.

"I advise them to learn English, reach agencies in England, France, and Italy. Hollywood is a global market now. It is open to actors and directors from all around the world. We see many young and shining talents these days. Turkish young people in the sector should not restrict their dreams within Turkey. But, we also need more theaters and drama instructors in Turkey as well," he said.

Tapan argued that Turkish cinema has produced mostly comedy with low production costs in recent years, and stressed that there has been a significant decline in the number of viewers who watch movies in theaters.

"Major American studios are well aware of counterfeit DVD sales. Movies of such sales tend to have weak performances in Turkish box office. There should be serious enforcements in this respect. Movie fans should be more responsible and conscientious towards the effort and labor put in the industry," he said.