Yellow Letters: A Wake-Up Call for Western Democracies

Ilker Catak's Berlin Film Festival entry 'Yellow Letters' warns Western audiences against complacency in democracy. The film follows a couple's struggle under political pressure after being blacklisted in Turkey. Catak hopes it spurs reflection on democratic vulnerabilities, mirroring real events in Turkey.

Berlin Film Festival's drama 'Yellow Letters' serves as a powerful warning to Western audiences about the fragility of democracy, according to Turkish-German director Ilker Catak. Competing for the top prize, the film delves into the strain on a marriage faced with significant political pressure, highlighted by the personal losses experienced by its characters.

Ozgu Namal and Tansu Bicer play a married couple, an actor and a playwright, grappling with the fallout from the husband's persecution by the Turkish state over his critical online posts. Catak emphasizes that the West's assumption of immunity to political repression is misguided, asserting, 'You can lose your job too, if you are stating the wrong political statements.'

The film draws parallels to real-life political tensions in Turkey, notably the arrest of Istanbul's mayor and the subsequent widespread protests. By filming in Berlin and Hamburg as stand-ins for Ankara and Istanbul, Catak urges viewers to reflect on their own societal contexts, warning against complacency. 'Yellow Letters' follows Catak's 2023 entry 'The Teachers' Lounge' at the festival, aiming to spark dialogue on democracy's fragility across borders.

(With inputs from agencies.)