By Anealla Safdar

‘Battle of 2 Empires – Fetih 1453’ is now playing in Doha’s theatres.

The historical Turkish picture – a timely release amid resurgent national pride for all things Ottoman – premiered in February. In CGI and after using the largest green-room Turkey has probably ever seen, director Faruk Aksoy has retold Constantinople’s fall. The 160-minute film has captured the hearts of over 5.5 million Turks so far; over 1 million of those watched it in opening weekend.

Turkish Prime Minister Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave the film a positive review, reportedly, after a special screening. Others have pointed to director’s Faruk Aksoy’s use of historical license.

Opinions aside, the nostalgic action movie has enjoyed a number of blockbusting superlatives. ‘Fetih 1453’ is the most expensive Turkish film to date (with a budget of $17million (QAR 25,473,700) and since its domestic premiere, has become the country’s highest grossing film in cinema history.

The story is well known…

Scene from the movie 'Battle of 2 Empires: Fetih 1453'

“My biggest goal was to show the glorious success of my country,” director Aksoy said. “Of course, ‘Fetih 1453’ was not made as a documentary…Some speculative changes, which were necessary for the movie’s expression, were made.”

The figures are high…

• … a total of 15,000 extras took part.
• Some 44,000 metres of fabric were used to tailor the cast’s costumes.
• The promotional trailer’s budget was $600,000 (QAR 2,183,460).
• Some 250 horses and 40 water buffalos were used in the film.
• Over 10,000 pieces of war equipment were produced as props.

The film is playing now…

…in Doha, dubbed in English, with Arabic subtitles.
City Center – 11am, 3.15pm, 7.30pm, 11.45pm
Landmark – 10.30pm
The Mall – 10.30pm