The Turkish feature “Beyond the Rails,” written and directed by Cenk İzgören, was presented during a media session held on Saturday, 29 November, at Honar Shahr Aftab Cineplex in Shiraz. Screening in the Future Frame section of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival, the film centers on Başak, a middle-aged woman battling cancer who plans to end her life on railway tracks. Her encounter with tortoises along the way transforms the journey into a contemplative confrontation with life, death, and nature. The film stars Mine Doğan, Remzi Çetinkaya, Ahmetcan Özer, and Kudret Dönmez.
Speaking about his background in filmmaking, İzgören reflected on his professional path, saying, “Before making documentaries, I had already directed my first narrative feature film. I initially worked in fiction cinema, but later I became drawn to narrative storytelling and tried to continue my path within this cinematic form.”
In another part of the session, which focused on the cultural commonalities between Turkey and Iran, İzgören emphasized the deep-rooted ties between the two countries. “Among all the countries in the world, Iran and Turkey have had close relations since ancient times, and on the map they are separated only by a single line,” he said. “In reality, these two countries share similar urban identities and the same religion. The people of Iran and Turkey live under the same sky and share common cultural ground. Even our musical traditions are very similar.”
Expanding on historical and civilizational connections, İzgören noted, “We come from ancient Turkic roots, and Iranians trace their origins back to the Elamites five thousand years ago, later forming a rich and ancient history of more than 2,500 years. We must pay attention to the cultural foundations we share and ask ourselves where we come from and what kind of people we are.” He added that Iran and Turkey share history, geography, and religious traditions, stressing that these bonds should not be easily forgotten.
İzgören went on to argue that cultural identity has been increasingly influenced by Western dominance, stating, “In today’s world, we need to have a clear cultural and intellectual identity, but Western civilization has strongly affected our way of life. This is exactly where the cinema of Turkey and Iran must build a bridge to reconnect and preserve their shared culture.”
Warning about the impact of imperialism on traditional societies, he said, “The imperialist world is placing our history, culture, and traditional society on the verge of destruction and does not want the cultural commonalities between our countries to survive.” He stressed the urgency of artistic intervention, adding, “Before this happens, we must use the art of cinema to document and protect our shared cultural heritage.”
Referring to his presence at the Fajr International Film Festival, İzgören described the event as a meaningful platform for cultural exchange. “The Fajr International Film Festival provides an important space for the expression of shared culture between our two countries, and that is why I was very eager to attend this event,” he said. “Winning an award is not important to me; simply being present at this festival already feels like receiving my award.”
Addressing the current state of Turkish cinema, İzgören explained his personal artistic stance, saying, “My beliefs in cinema are centered on spirituality and national identity, and I am not particularly interested in the mainstream of Turkish cinema. I prefer to continue my own personal path.” He also expressed his interest in future collaboration, adding, “I am very eager to make a co-production with Iran.”
In closing, İzgören spoke about film production conditions in Turkey, noting the importance of institutional support. “For my first and second films, I received funding from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism,” he said. “Without this support, I would never have been able to enter the world of filmmaking.”
The 43rd Fajr International Film Festival is currently underway in Shiraz, running from November 26 to December 3, 2025, bringing together filmmakers, critics, and cinema professionals from around the world through a diverse program of screenings, panel discussions, and cultural events.
