Semih Kaplanoğlu won Golden Bear award

Turkish filmmaker Semih Kaplanoğlu’s drama film “Bal” (Honey) became the proud recipient of the coveted Golden Bear award at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, bringing the prestigious title to Turkey for only the second time in the festival’s 60-year history.

“Honey” came away with the top prize in a surprise decision that few pundits foresaw.

The jury, led by German director Werner Herzog and including Hollywood actress Renee Zellweger, decided against rewarding the political or shocking and went instead for a minimalist, slow-paced story about a son’s love for his beekeeper father.

Bora Altaş, the 8-year-old who played the central character Yusuf, won over audiences with his touching performance in a film that had no soundtrack and little in the way of plot but resonated with some critics.

“I hope to be able to show feelings — love, emotion and hope, also the pleasure in living — and hope my films can trigger these emotions too,” director Semih Kaplanoğlu said of “Honey,” the final installment in his Trilogy of Yusuf, which began in 2007 with “Yumurta” (Egg), followed in 2008 by “Süt” (Milk).

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