Spreading a little Mutluluk / Happiness in Bethnal Green


Still from Mutluluk/Happiness (2017), the directorial film debut of Necip Caghan Ozdemir

The Hamlets Pop-Up Cinema proudly presents Mutluluk/Happiness (2017), short movie from Turkey.  Part of our fantastic double-bill at the end of February, this award-winning film was written and directed by Necip Caghan Ozdemir, and tells the story of a man working at a car repair shop who is determined to overcome the gloom and misery around him to spread happiness.

The 12-minute clip has already travelled the world through its official selection at the Sarajevo Film Festival, Dhaka International Film Festival and Hollywood Turkish Film Festival, with additional screenings at Cannes Short Film Corner and the International Bosphorus Film Festival, winning the Best Short Film Award at the latter. Its next stop is Bethnal Green in East London.

Many will be able to relate to this universal tale about trying to find happiness against the odds. Set in Turkey, the shop's owner, played by Rıza Akın, tries to remain optimistic in spite of a mountain of problems around him: poverty, terror attacks and the psychological pressure that people apply to each other. Is there any way to remain positive and find happiness given the extent of such negativity?

Dir. Necip Caghan Ozdemir
The film is in Turkish with English subtitles, and marks the directorial debut of Necip Caghan Ozdemir, firmly placing him on the map as an emerging talent. The young writer, producer and director lives in Los Angeles. After graduating in film and theatre studies, he started work in production, initially as an executive producer and director on The Football Show about American football during its first series (2013-14).

Mutluluk/Happiness will be screened at Oxford House on 27 February 2018. Also on the bill that night is Turkish documentary  Benim Varoş Hikayem / My Suburban Story. Tickets for both films are £3 plus booking fee, available from Eventbrite.

About The Hamlets Pop-Up Cinema

Launched in September 2017, The Hamlets Pop-Up Cinema is a community cinema project managed by film charity Balik Arts and funded by Tower Hamlets Council as part of its Thriving High Streets programme.


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