ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu has stated that it is important for film producer Oliver Stone to regret his film, Midnight Express.
In a meeting with Stone at the Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel, Mumcu said that he is extremely sorry for the negative publicity of Turks that Stone's film generated for over two decades.
The request for meeting with Mumcu came from the film distributing company that distributed the film ''Great Alexander'' in Turkey.
''Mr. Oliver Stone expressed his deep sorrow for the negative impact of his film Midnight Express on Turkey's global reputation,'' told Mumcu. Mumcu remarked that, at the time Midnight Express was filmed, Stone was very young and that Stone had no intention to generate negative publicity of Turks. ''Stone filmed Midnight Express upon the story of an American inmate in a Turkish prison,'' stated Mumcu. ''During a certain period, Turkey was harshly criticized by intellectuals and artists worldwide. Such criticisms have resulted in a very negative publicity and image of Turkey. However, Turkey will benefit from a change in opinions and perspectives on its society. Stone has broken Turkish hearts, but things will now get better.''
(ES-A֩
2004-12-15