Syrian orphan drama set for Turkish film festival

By Emre Bastug

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AA) - People will want to find and help an orphan after watching Never Leave Me, the opening movie at the upcoming 54th International Antalya Film Festival, its Bosnian director has told Anadolu Agency.

Aida Begic used a cast of Syrian refugees, many with no previous acting experience, to tell the story of three boys -- Isa, Ahmed and Muataz -- who live difficult, displaced lives in Sanliurfa, southern Turkey.

Begic said the most valuable thing to talk about was innocent people, primarily children, whose lives had been demolished by Syria’s bitter civil war.

"They are all around us, but most of the time we do not know who they are, what they are feeling, what are their dreams, and hopes.

"We cannot connect as human beings with their stories because we do not know their stories," she said.

Never Leave Me will be part of the 54th International Antalya Film Festival which will take place between Oct. 21-27 with more than 30 movies.

* Ilker Girit contributed to this story from Istanbul.