Cosmopolis: Fine Line is a striking documentary that sheds light on the history of the Heybeliada Seminary and tells the story of the school’s opening and closing in the period from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic of Turkey. The documentary offers a platform that witnesses recent history by addressing not only the history of an educational institution but also the events that were turning points in Turkey’s religious and cultural diversity. Prepared with an objective and impartial perspective, the film examines the events in depth by including various views. Patriarch Bartholomew I, historian and author Pelin Batu, Salih İnci, who wrote a doctoral thesis on the Heybeliada Seminary, Derkon Metropolitan Apostol Danilidis and some of the school’s graduates contribute to the documentary’s narrative through both the school’s history and their own personal experiences. Enriched with the participants’ in-depth views, the production reveals how the school is not only an educational institution but also a cultural and religious center. The memories shared by the students about the years they spent at the school offer viewers the opportunity to establish a human and emotional bond. This documentary examines the opening and closing processes of the Heybeliada Seminary, while also addressing the political, cultural and social dynamics of two different periods, taking the viewer on a historical journey. Cosmopolis: The Thin Line presents a narrative that sheds light on the multi-layered history of Turkey and the region, while maintaining an impartial stance and bringing together two different perspectives at the same table. This documentary appeals to anyone who wants to understand and make sense of the thin line between history and the present.
Director – Okan Şeker
Okan Şeker was born in 1994 in Istanbul. He graduated from Marmara University with degrees in Radio, Television, and Cinema, as well as Sociology. He is currently working as a Research Assistant in the Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema at Istanbul Kültür University. His research interests include New Media, Film History, and Communication Sciences. In 2022, his book The Illusion of Individuality: From Speech to New Media Interaction was published. Additionally, his translations on new media theories have been featured in various journals. He is continuing his education in the PhD program in Radio, Television, and Cinema at Istanbul University.
Director – Fatih Öztürk
Fatih Ozturk was born in Istanbul in 1995. He graduated from Istanbul Kultur University Radio and Television Technology and Istanbul University Journalism Departments and Istanbul Kultur University Radio, Television and Cinema Department with a Master’s Degree. He took part in many volunteer projects throughout his school life. After completing his undergraduate education, he started working in professional business life and worked as an editor operator in many production companies. He worked in daytime programs on many channels such as Fox and Show TV. He is currently working as an expert staff at Istanbul Kultur University Radio, Television and Cinema Department.