Friday, 16 October 2009
Renowned film director Francis Ford Coppola said Thursday he had not come to Turkey to shoot a movie but that he came for a visit.
I am here for I admire Turkey, Coppola said.
Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertugrul Gunay received Coppola in Ankara on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters while receiving Coppola, Gunay said that Coppola was one of the most valuable and famous film directors in the world.
There have been important developments in Turkish film and cinema sectors recently. Perhaps after observing Turkey, Mr. Coppola would decide to shoot a movie here. I wish to see Coppola shoot a movie in Turkey, Gunay said.
Answering questions of the press corps, Coppola said that he came to Turkey for a visit and did not plan to shoot a movie yet.
I admire Turkey. I have not seen Ankara before. But I visited Istanbul in the past. Istanbul is a unique city with rich history. I am here in Ankara to spend good time and observe the city, Coppola said.
Asked if he decided to shoot a movie in Turkey he would use Turkish actors and actresses, Coppola said that he would indeed use Turkish actors and actresses in such a movie.
Francis Ford Coppola (born April 7, 1939) is an Italian-American film director, producer and screenwriter. Away from show business, Coppola is also a vintner, magazine publisher and hotelier. He is a graduate of Hofstra University where he studied theatre. He earned an M.F.A. in film directing from the UCLA Film School. He is most renowned for directing the Godfather films, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now.
