Canan Turan
Anti-Discrimination, Equity & Inclusion.
Communications.
Film Curator.
Script Consultant.
Speaker.
Moderator.
Podcaster.
» What Shaped Your Early Life?
Growing up as the daughter of a migrant, working-class family in Berlin-Kreuzberg, the stories we tell about ourselves and that are told about us always fascinated and unsettled me at the same time. I came to realize that the images and narratives circulating about marginalized people do not only influence our self-worth, identities and daily lives, but can also contribute to othering and discrimination. For over 15 years now, the need for a radical change towards anti-discrimination, equity and inclusion has fueled my work in film, media and communications.
» What led you to become an advocate for change in the film industry?
In 2015, a German TV editor rejected my first feature-length documentary as a director, claiming: “We’ve already co-produced a migrant film this year“. I never finished that project. As a creative producer, I experienced similar forms of exclusion. I used to love making films, but the film industry didn’t seem to love people like me or other historically marginalized groups back. So, I started to talk about this issue and haven’t stopped since.
» Can you tell us about your podcast and the idea behind it?
I am the creator and host of film.macht.kritisch. – The Podcast about the *Other* Cinema. *Other* stands for a consciously anti-discriminatory, intersectional feminist, queer and decolonial cinema and a film culture that challenges the status quo. The first 10 episodes are about topics like strategies to transform stereotypes, bell hooks’ Black/intersectional feminist theory, the new Asian-German cinema and curatorial justice, and I have talked to amazing film professionals like Dieu Hao Do, Soleen Yusef, Lisa Smith and more.
» What principles guide your approach to film curation?
Films are not created in a vacuum; they originate from and have a deep impact on a specific historical, cultural and social context. Luckily, the days when privileged people in the film and festival industry could tell or curate any story about any community without being held accountable are over. As a curator of films, currently at Berlinale Generation and Tallgrass Film Festival, I focus on authentic authorship, ethical representation and politics just as much as on the aesthetic features of films. And when I consult authors or producers on scripts I do the same.
» What impact do you hope to make in your new position?
In August, I started a new job as Head of Communications at the Anti-Discrimination Association Germany (advd). It is a huge honor for me to work for an organization committed to the recognition of discrimination as a social reality and everyday experience of many people, to the professionalisation of anti-discrimination counselling, to nationwide support structures and to driving forward the crucial reform of the General Act on Equal Treatment (AGG).
Do you want to know more about Canan’s work?
Go check out her socials:
Canan’s Instagram
Canan’s Linktree
