In a remote Turkish orphanage, an ostracised young girl seeks out the forbidden Alevi in her quest for faith.

Interview with Writer/Director/Editor Lara Köse

Watch Kaya here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! Making the film was a personal journey into my own Alevi ancestry. The Alevi are a religious/cultural minority with roots in Anatolia, modern day Turkey. It was a transcendent experience to connect with my Alevi heritage and community, similar to the main character's journey in the film.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You'll learn about one of the oldest cultures in the world - a peaceful people who maintain their spirit in a hostile political climate.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

This is such a personal film to me but so many people who have never heard about the Alevi were emotionally moved by it. After all, it's a story about a young person growing up under suppression and control trying to form an independent identity. We all deserve that.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The biggest evolutionary impact of the film is its cast. The entire cast is made of un-trained actors and local villagers the film was shot in. Whatever natural energy they brought to their roles is what shaped the story and pathos.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The film has made a lot of people cry! I'm so surprised by how much the film has moved audiences. I'm very happy that people have been able to empathise with the Alevi story and find universal emotions within it.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Definitely surprised. It shows me that the world is curious about the Alevi and encourages my mission to tell the world who we are.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

To expose the unknown Alevi people and perhaps spark curiosity into our humanist philosophies.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Festival directors, sales agents and distributors - I'd love the film to reach a wide and varied audience.

Journalists who I can talk with more about the Alevi.

Community- To connect more with creatives interested in the stories of the marginalised for future collaborations.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

It's important that the Alevi are seen and heard. May we be free to be who we are.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Should one nation have one identity?

Would you like to add anything else?

Kaya is screening at the Setting Sun Film Festival and Human Rights Arts and Film Festival in Melbourne this month. If you're around please say hello.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I'm currently writing a new short film about mental health and intergenerational trauma within the Turkish migrant community.

Interview: May 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Kaya

In a remote Turkish orphanage, an ostracised young girl seeks out the forbidden Alevi in her quest for faith.

Length: 14:59

Director: Lara Köse

Producer: Stephanie Westwood

Writer: Lara Köse

About the writer, director and producer:

LARA KöSE is an Australian-Turkish-Alevi film director based in Melbourne. In 2015 she graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts with a Masters in Film and Television. Lara was one of the 2017 Lexus Australia Short Film fellowship winners. Her winning film Kaya premiered at the 2018 Sydney Film Festival followed by the 2018 Melbourne International Film Festival. In 2018 Lara was selected as director’s attachment to Tony Tilse on the feature film Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears, supported by Every Cloud Productions and Screen Australia.

STEPHANIE WESTWOOD is a Melbourne-based producer who wants to make things happen for you. Her work is known for challenging audiences and exploring themes of womanhood, queer identity, and family. Stephanie has a love of genre and wants to make horror films where the virgin is the killer, the victims don't run upstairs, and the women escape from the fridge.

Key cast: Kayra Bektaş (Kaya), Tuana Argun (Sibel), Elif Alan (Alevi woman)

Looking for: distributors, film festival directors

Instagram: @larablues

Hashtags used: #kayashortfilm #alevi

Website: larakose.com

Other: Vimeo

Funders: Lexus Australia Short Film Fellowship

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Setting Sun Film Festival at the Sun Theatre in Yarravile - Thursday May 2nd and Sunday 5th May.; Human Rights Arts and Film Festival at ACMI in the Melbourne CBD - Thursday May 16th and Tuesday May 21st.