09/11/2023 | Writer: Selma Koçak
The video titled “Hand in hand against hate” produced for the 29th anniversary of Kaos GL, was discussed within the scope of the creativity certificate program of Brand Week İstanbul.
Brand Week İstanbul, which is the largest creativity, communication and business festival in the EMEA region, brought together leaders of the creative world this year, under the theme “Rethink, Recreate, Rebuild”. Celebrating its 11th anniversary this year, Brand Week İstanbul brought together a variety of perspectives on its first day at the Haliç Congress Center on the 8th of November.
The Creators Academy, a certificate program that explores the question “What is the meaning of creativity in the 21st century?”, hosted Kaos GL this year. “Kaos GL’s public announcement titled “Hand in Hand Against Hate” was discussed in the program prepared by MediaCat as part of Brand Week Istanbul for those who want to produce and create in the new age.
In the session, which was moderated by Sami Basut, KaosGL.org editor-in-chief Yıldız Tar and producer Özge Çakmak, founder of Norr Film, which made the publicity film, spoke. Çakmak and Tar talked about the making of the film, which reached millions of people, the positive reactions after its release, the hate campaign organized against the film and how they had to remove the film from circulation.
What had happened?
Kaos GL Association removed the video titled “Hand in hand against discrimination, oppression, violence and hate” from circulation due to death threats and insults targeting the film company and the performers in the film.
The association announced the reason for removing the video as follows:
“We thank everyone who viewed our ‘Hand in hand against hate’ video, which we hope demonstrates solidarity and coexistence against the LGBTI+ targeted public service announcement.
Regrettably, those who cannot tolerate even a video against hate have once again carried out a hate operation that we, as Kaos GL, have unfortunately become accustomed to. During this operation, the film company and its actors received insults and death threats, as well as ourselves. We wish to avoid causing any harm to those who hold our outstretched hand. Thus, we have removed the video from circulation. Nevertheless, we intend to continue with our 29-year-long commitment of support and solidarity. We are aware that this ‘hand’ will not stand still...”
Promoting LGBTI+’s right to live with a message of social peace, the video went viral after being shared on social media and pointed out as a target. Then Turkish State Railways (TCDD) filed a criminal complaint against the video on the grounds of being filmed in a carriage of Marmaray.
Tags: media, arts and culture
