Veteran Turkish actress, Gulsen Tuncer, turned heads at this year’s Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival by making a powerful political and cultural statement. Attending the festival draped in a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh, Tuncer sparked significant attention and conversation, using her appearance to symbolise solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The keffiyeh, a patterned scarf worn by many Palestinians, has long been a symbol of resistance and support for Palestine’s struggle for freedom. Tuncer’s choice to wear it on the red carpet during Turkiye’s prestigious film festival was seen by many as a courageous move, blending art with activism.
Tuncer, a prominent figure in Turkish cinema with a career spanning decades, is known not only for her acting but also for her strong stance on human rights issues. Her attendance at the Golden Orange Festival in such a symbolic fashion, emphasized the intersection of culture, art and politics in times of conflict.
In an interview, Tuncer expressed her commitment to human rights, stressing the importance of artists using their platforms to raise awareness about global injustices. “Art is not just about entertainment; it’s about making people think and feel. Today, I stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine,” she said.
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