“THE GULF is a journey back to one’s roots. The story, written with local writer Ahmet Büke, is partially based on Yeksan’s personal experience of returning to Izmir, also his hometown, when he had to undertake a similar personal journey of self-discovery. The smell was a real-life problem in the Gulf of Izmir several years ago, but the film goes beyond this local dimension. It is always emphasised that this story is happening in Turkey, but actually this almost dystopian tale could be unfolding anywhere. An environmental disaster or another world war are constant threats playing on everyone’s minds. Although it is not clear how anyone can face up to these threats, some will simply try to flee, while others may feel more perplexed, as is the case with Selim.” (Vassilis Economou, Cineuropa)

Emre Yeksan (1981) graduated in Film Studies from the Mimar Sinan University and from the University of Paris – La Sorbonne. He worked as a producer in Paris and moved back to Istanbul in 2008 where he also started developing his own projects. KÖRFEZ [THE GULF] is his feature directorial debut and premiered at the 32. Venice International Film Critics Week.