I Saw the Sun

I Saw the Sun is a 2009 Turkish drama film, written and directed by Mahsun Kırmızıgül, which tells of a Kurdish family who are forced from their village in southeastern Turkey by the conflict there. The film, which was released on , was one of the highest grossing Turkish films of 2009, prompting its re-release on . The film was Turkey's official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. Premise The film tells of a Kurdish family who head to İstanbul from their village in southeastern Turkey. Part of the family tries to emigrate to Norway. Cast Mahsun Kırmızıgül - Ramo Cemal Toktaş - Kadri Yıldız Kültür - Pakize Sarp Apak - Ahmet Buğra Gülsoy - Berat Ali Sürmeli - Nedim Altan Erkekli - Davut Erol Günaydın - Samet Demet Evgar - Havar Cezmi Baskın - Bünyamin Murat Ünalmış - Production Writer-director Mahsun Kırmızıgül has stated that the screenplay was inspired by the story of a man he met during the filming of his debut film The White Angel, whose 21-member family had to abandon their village around 15 years previously. I was overwhelmed by what he told me. As I am a native of that region myself, I thought I would recount the story in the way it deserves. I hope everyone gets the right message from the film, Kırmızıgül said. Those who watch this film will see that nothing can be solved through hatred. My aim is to stop the bloodshed by boosting Turkish-Kurdish fellowship. This film will delve more strongly into the concepts of brotherhood and unity. We have to love each other without prejudice because nothing can be solved with hatred.