Turkish capital screens award winning Mexican film as it hosts MIKTA film week

By Dilara Hamit

ANKARA (AA) - The Mexican Embassy in Turkey's capital showcased Prayers for the Stolen, or Noche de Fuego, within the framework of the MIKTA Film Festival on Friday.

The embassies of Mexico, Indonesia Korea, Australia and Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with the support of the Ankara Korean Cultural Center, organized MIKTA film week from Nov. 24 - 28 in Ankara.

The film week will present films on different subjects to promote cultural diversity and strengthen multilateral ties.

MIKTA is an informal consultation and coordination platform among Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia. It was initiated by foreign ministers of MIKTA countries on Sept. 25, 2013, on the margins of the 68th UN General Assembly.

Prayers for the Stolen was directed by Tatiana Huezo and is based on the novel by the same title by Mexican-American writer Jennifer Clement.

It tells the story of three friends who grow up together, inhabit the houses of those who fled and play at being women when no one is watching. It also tells of the dark echoes of violence that lurks around and become an inescapable threat.

Prayers for the Stolen won a Special Mention in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival and has been selected as the Mexican entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.

"This year Australia is the chairman of the group and next year is Turkey. We are trying to organize a cultural chapter of MIKTA to get these countries to get together,” according to Mexican Ambassador to Turkey Jose Luis Martinez. “As MIKTA countries, we are trying to make people aware of each other because these are very different countries from Indonesia to Turkey to Australia to Korea to Mexico and with culture, we can do a lot of things."

He said next year the embassy was planning to do more by organizing events at the Antalya diplomacy forum.

"This movie is a Mexican candidate for the Oscars in the category of international feature film and I think it has a lot of possibilities to win. It is a movie without concessions,” he said. "I recommend everyone to watch it!"

MIKTA aims at contributing constructive solutions to regional and global challenges as well as enhancing the effectiveness of global governance.

It wants to strengthen its cooperation to raise its voice on global issues and gain influence within international organizations.

MIKTA countries also work to strengthen their economic and political ties.

The MIKTA film week is just one of the cultural activities that member countries are aiming to develop in the future.