The village in Gilgamesh- film is being plundered

Feb. 18 2008
EasternStar New Agency

About four years ago, the filming of the Gilgamesh epic started, where the scenes were going to be shot in Turkey.

The movie, which was being produced by an Assyrian, Beni Atori, had a budget of 20 milion US dollars. Among the actors were the world famous Omar Sharif and Armand Assante. Behind the production was the American film production company STONELOCK PICTURES.

To be able to record the scenes in the right kind environment, a Sumerian village was constructed outside of Constantinople (Istanbul). The village was supposed to reflect the daily life over 5000 years ago in Bethnahrin. The expensive Sumerian village constituted the main studio for the movie Gilgamesh.

The production company faced large opposition from Turkish authorities, which demanded all kinds of made up permissions. All with the purpose of demanding bribes from the production company. After that the production company got swindled by its Turkish partner ?zen Film. Due to all bribes which Stonelock Pictures had to pay to the Turkish authorities and due to the unreliable local production partner, the budget was cracked even before the shooting of the film started.

What is left of the film project is the Sumerian village, which now is being plundered and sold by STONEFLOCK PICTURES Turkish partner ?zen Film.

ESNA

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