'I saw the sun' vying for foreign language Oscar

"Güneşi Gördüm" (I Saw the Sun), the sophomore directing effort by Arabesque singer-turned filmmaker Mahsun Kirmizigul, has been selected by the Turkish Oscar committee as Turkey's entry in the best foreign language category at the 82nd Academy Awards, news station NTV reported yesterday. Written by Kirmizigul and based on real events, "I Saw the Sun" tells of the tragedies of people who had to flee their villages in southeastern Anatolia and relocate due to the terrorism that has been plaguing the region for decades. Kirmizigul, who hails from the southeastern province of Diyarbakir, also stars in the film. The film won raves when it opened in March. "I Saw the Sun" will first have to compete against submissions from other countries to make it into the five-film shortlist of nominees for the foreign language Oscar. This year's Oscars will be handed out on March 7 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.