My Name is Happy (see BDE interview https://businessdoceurope.com/bde-interview-my-name-is-happy-by-nick-read-and-ayse-toprak/) tells the inspirational story of Kurdish teenager Mutlu Kaya, from a remote community in Southeast Turkey, for whom singing stardom beckoned before she was shot by a man trying to abduct her.
Mutlu survived, but with life-changing injuries and a bullet in her brain. Five years later, still recovering, her carer and sister Dilek is killed by her boyfriend, and a neighbour is murdered by her fiancé. Despite life-changing injuries, Mutlu relentlessly pursues justice for her sister, supported by her ever-present family. To articulate her powerful sense of injustice, Mutlu turns to TikTok and her 1.8 million followers, and asserts her independence by writing a passionate, personal protest song which, at the film’s end, she records.
“The film tells of a life shattered by violence, but it also speaks volumes about the legacy of violence for a family,” co-director Read told guests during the March 14 Impact Lab pitch session in Geneva. “Our impact goal is to offer victims a roadmap for survival. With her beaming smile and creative energy, Mutlu has the potential to be a role model both inside Turkey and beyond. We want to mobilize her 1.8 million social media followers to support her journey and support our campaign.”
The film, sold by Autlook, world-premiered to acclaim at IDFA 2022. “We’re working hard on the Turkish release and how we engage our target audience of young men and women who want to redefine gender equality,” commented co-director Toprak. “There are about 140 women’s rights groups in Turkey and we’ll make the film available to strengthen their campaign for equality and justice.”
One particular desire of the filmmakers is Turkey’s commitment once again to the Istanbul Convention. “The Istanbul Convention is the only international treaty designed to protect women from male violence and enshrine their right to safety in law,” commented Read. “Signed by 26 countries, in 2021, Turkey formally withdrew from it. It caved into conservative right wing voices in the country who claimed that the treaty undermined family values. The women of Turkey took to their streets in their thousands in protest, but it made no difference. We have ambitions for this film to be shown in solidarity with their struggle.”
Toprak added: “We feel passionately that this story should also engage international stakeholders. Femicide is a global issue. We want the film to stimulate new partnerships between policymakers, public and political figures, and with the women of Turkey. For example, in London, we have organized a series of event screenings hosted by a leading civil rights organization, bringing together Mutlu, Turkish diplomats and local communities to hear their views about the issues raised in the film. We want to replicate this across Europe and beyond.”
“As importantly, we also want an impact campaign to help Mutlu directly to support her physical and emotional recovery with regular care and therapy,” Read stressed. “Right now, today, she’s being treated for a medical condition which prevented her joining us here in Geneva. The injuries she suffered seven years ago are still defining her choices.”
Together the pair further articulated their Impact needs for the project. “We are looking for resources, knowledge, contacts to recruit collaborators for our film…We’re looking for commitment, impact partners who can share our passion for this story to really make a difference…And we’re looking for funding, especially to engage a dynamic impact producer.”
An emotional conclusion to the pitch saw a message from Mutlu played to the Geneva audience during which she expressed her gratitude and love.
