Bircan desires to learn Kurdish, the mother-tongue her grandmother left behind when she moved from her childhood village to Istanbul. The two attempt to find common ground in a language that holds both the promise of legacy and the memory of loss.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Bircan Birol

Watch My Name is Anik here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you very much. It is a personal story that I always wanted to tell. I grew up with my Kurdish grandparent's forced-migration story and witnessed their everyday struggle because of their/our identity. After I lost my grandfather nine years ago, my grandmother was the only Kurdish speaking member of our family. Though she has been forgetting the language over time. I wanted to film our moments learning together and use the language as a means of understanding our people’s and my grandmother's past.

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

My grandmother is one of the funniest people I have ever known. She helped me create a heart-warming personal documentary about a very serious, hundred-year-old conflict. We often come across dramatic, upsetting, or war-related images when it comes to Kurdish people, which is, unfortunately, our truth. I wanted to show the daily, relatable side of our lives as well. And who knows, maybe you can learn some Kurdish words from my granny!

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The film is about my grandmother's and my language journey, so it is highly personal. On the other hand, you will find familiar themes like the promise of legacy and the memory of loss.

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

I was fortunate that I made this film with the Scottish Documentary Institute as part of their Bridging the Gap program. My film with the other eleven projects went through an amazing three-month development process. From this, five films were commissioned including My Name is Anik. I started with some footage and a proposal that needed to find its way, and I ended up with this lovely film. It is not just the script and film that evolved, but I also, as an emerging filmmaker, learned how to build a creative documentary, how to film, pitch, and most importantly how to be confident thanks to SDI.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I have received some lovely feedback, as well as some honest and constructive criticisms. I have talked to people around the world who have found their own stories in mine and were inspired by my film to tell their stories. I was particularly happy to hear good feedback from fellow Middle Eastern, Turkish, Kurdish and native filmmakers around the world. The most precious feedback, of course, came from my family and my grandmother. I am happy to give them this great memory.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Absolutely! I am often too hard on myself and My Name is Anik is my first creative documentary. As soon as we had finished the film, I was scared that nobody would like it. Although I was happy with the result, I couldn't watch it until the premiere. Thankfully, every screening proved me wrong in this regard. I am always grateful for the people and organisations who approach me after screenings to express their interest in the film.

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

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, film festivals have been either cancelled or postponed. We now have fewer platforms. It is an unlucky year for everyone, including new filmmakers. I am glad to be able to reach people through this great platform.

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

All of them?! The film is still trying to travel the festivals. We would be happy to be part of future festivals or online platforms. I have also started to develop my first feature project, so I would be extremely happy to talk and share more with interested producers and distributors.

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

I hope that viewers will want to learn more about Kurdish people. We have a rich culture and an impressive history. Though universally, I hope to inspire people of all walks of life to appreciate what can be learned from listening to our grandparents and spending more time with them.

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

How many stories can one language hold?

Would you like to add anything else?

For all the fellow woman filmmakers: do not give up! Like everywhere, the filmmaking industry is unequal. We often feel insecure, invisible and less confident. All the gals out there, the world needs more stories that are made by us and we will make it. As a filmmaker based in Scotland, I support SDI's 50/50+ Women Direct campaign; I would encourage all filmmakers to consider the value of this campaign.

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

I am currently working on my first feature documentary. The story follows the journey of an amazing young woman who will be the first openly transgender lawyer in Turkey and the "invisible" trans community of the country. The documentary is in the early development stage. I am looking for potential collaborators.

Interview: May 2020

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

My Name is Anik

Length: 15:30

Director: Bircan Birol

Producer: Bircan Birol

Writer: Bircan Birol

About the writer, director and producer:

BIRCAN BIROL is an emerging documentary filmmaker based in Scotland. Starting at university, she has been filming journalistic documentaries and covering news about human rights issues back in Turkey. She has recently filmed her first creative short documentary My Name is Anik with the Scottish Documentary Institute. Her camera is still following compelling human stories from under-represented groups.

Key cast: Director Bircan Birol, Producer Tomás Sheridan, DOP Francesca Tosarelli, Editor Kieran Gosney, Sound Design Ali Murray, Colorist Stephen Horne

Looking for: film festival directors, journalists

Facebook: My Name is Anik

Instagram: @biridea

Website: www.scottishdocinstitute.com/films/my-name-is-anik/

Other: IMDb

Made in association with: Scottish Documentary Institute, Screen Scotland

Funders: Creative Scotland

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Glasgow Short Film Festival (postponed)