Emak was opened in 1924 Widespread protest has swept Istanbul with the news of the planned closure of the famous Emek cinema.Four people were arrested following protests in Istanbul on Sunday. They have since been released pending a trial.
One of those arrested includes revered film critic, Berke Gol.
BBC reported that the Turkish police used tear gas and water cannons against the protesters. Protesters were similarly accused of throwing stones at police.
Film critic and writer, Atilla Dorsay, has resigned from popular Turkish paper, Sabah, in protest against the closure. The Hurriyet Daily News reported the writer as saying; “The cinema itself and the cultural foundation, historical preservation and lifestyle it symbolised were important. If Emek is out, I am out too.”
The cinema is iconic to many Egyptians and has been the venue for the Istanbul Film Festival since 1982. Current plans propose to turn the cinema into a shopping centre.