Didim Today

A Turkish production company started a few days ago shooting a movie criticizes Israel. “Valley of the Wolves: Palestine,” inspired by the May 31 Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish humanitarian aid ship heading to Gaza, that resulted in the deaths of nine people, will hit theaters in November in about 100 countries around the world. Movies start showing all over the Turkey with many other countries.

A Turkish report, which was published under the title “The next item is going to arouse Israel’s anger: ‘Valley of the Wolves- Palestine’ is on its way,” wrote that the movie’s plot will focus on “actions of IDF armed forces in Palestinian territories.”

In order to create interest, members of the production crew promised that the scene that aroused anger in Israel in the current series – in which the blood of an Israeli Mossad agent is smeared on a Star of David – “will be nothing” compared to what awaits the movie’s viewers.

According to the sources, “The new movie will reveal the true face of Israel, and in accordance, the relations between it and Turkey will deteriorate even further.”

The spokesperson of Pana Film said that the series presents reality. “All of humanity, especially the Israeli public, looks on with sorrow at the insensitivity with which the Israeli authorities take action against Palestinian children. Basic rights such as nourishment, food, and education – is denied them. How can it be that these same Israeli authorities, who without hesitating bombed children staying under a UN flag in Gaza, are now bothered by a television series that is just presenting what they did?”

According to the synopsis, the hero of the series, Polat Alemdar a gun-toting agent with a fondness for sharp tailoring and his men go to Palestine in the wake of Israel’s attack on the aid flotilla. Following much effort, Polat and his men capture the Israeli commander, named Moshe Ben Eliezer, who planned and managed the raid.

Ever since the movie came on the agenda, claims that it will increase the already high tension between Turkey and Israel have emerged. Some changes were to the movie’s plot after Israel’s attack on the Gaza-bound aid flotilla. The movie aims to take revenge on Israel for the deadly raid that led to an outcry worldwide. “Valley of the Wolves: Palestine” is projected to cost over $10 million, making it one of the most expensive Turkish films ever.

Played by Necati Sasmaz who had never acted before whose voice is dubbed by another actor, Polat is sometimes described as the Turkish James Bond. Millions of young Turks idolize him, imitating his mannerisms and speech.

The “Valley of the Wolves” franchise made by the production company Pana Film has enjoyed tremendous success in Turkey. The title evokes mythological images from a story beloved by nationalists of a lone wolf that guided Turks out of a Central Asian valley where they had been trapped by enemies.

Officials from Pana Film said they decided to shoot the movie in Adana and Tarsus after scouting several locations in Lebanon, Syria and Bulgaria as well as 20 provinces in Turkey, including Hatay, Elazig, Sanliurfa and Gaziantep. They said the reasons why they thought Tarsus and Adana would be the most appropriate places to shoot the movie were the historical texture, the streets and local culture of these places.