The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has banned the commercial circulation and screening of Kazım Öz’s film “OY’una Geldik.” Announcing the ban on his social media account, Öz said, “Unfortunately, the release of our movie OY’una Geldik was banned. The government has put another black stain on its own history by banning a comedy movie in the 21st century. We will resort to legal remedies to the fullest in order to deliver the film, which we have produced with years of labor, to our audience.”
The movie “OY’una Geldik,” the story of which belongs to Mustafa Sarıgül, the mayor of Ovacık, tells the story of the right-wing mayor of Ovacık, who was elected after the candidates of the left-wing parties failed to reach a consensus, and resorts to various tricks to keep his seat. The mayor is played by İlyas Salman.
Kazım Öz applied to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for a Work Management Certificate for the film, which was announced to be released in 55 theaters on 21 February, 45 days before the screening date, but the ministry announced that the application was referred to the upper board because the lower board could not decide. Upon this, director Öz and the film crew made a press statement in front of the Beyoğlu Cinema and announced the situation to the public.
The ban decision taken by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on 25 February included the following statements:
“The film titled ‘Oy’una Geldik,’ produced by Kazım Öz, was referred to the Evaluation and Classification Board by the Sub-Board in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 4 of the Law No. 5224 on the Evaluation, Classification and Support of Cinema Films. At the Evaluation and Classification Board meeting held on 24 February 2025, the relevant film was evaluated in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of the Regulation on the Procedures and Principles Regarding the Evaluation and Classification of Cinema Films, and the release of the film for commercial circulation and screening was unanimously deemed inappropriate in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 7 of the Law on the Evaluation, Classification and Support of Cinema Films.”
