Synopsis

What will happen when street musicians play 'The Internationale', the former national anthem of the Soviet Union, in front of the Turkish military council? *International* alludes to the direct and indirect effects of the Turkish military coup of September 1980 through the tragicomic tale of the violinist Abuzer, his daughter Gulendam, and the young revolutionist Haydar, who all live in Adiyaman. Since the coup, nothing is the same. Street musicians have been officially banned from performing, but they continue to amuse the locals by running a mobile nightclub in a truck until they are caught and arrested. However, the regional commanding officer assigns Abuzer and his band to form a regular band. Now the head of a modern orchestra, Abuzer catches his daughter listening to songs in secret. He composes a march that his friends practice in preparation for a welcoming ceremony for the generals. *International*, a winner of multiple awards including Best Actress at the 26th Istanbul International Film Festival and Best Film at the Ankara International Film Festival, is highly acclaimed by critics for its irresistible story. The film demonstrates the power of Turkish cinema, a national cinema still largely unfamiliar to global audiences but quickly on the rise.

Director

Siri Şiraya Önder, Muharrem Gülemez

Born in 1962, Siri Şiraya Önder works as a screenwriter and story developer for television and feature films. *International* is his first feature film as both writer and director. Currently, he teaches screenplay writing and story development at the Screenplay Center in Istanbul. Born in 1968, Muharrem Gülemez graduated from the Film Department of Dokuz Eylül University in Izmir. Since 1990, he has worked as an assistant director and producer for numerous domestic and international feature films and television series. *International*, co-directed with Siri Şiraya Önder, is his feature film debut.