The International (Beynelmilel)

Beynelmilel (The International) is a 2006 Turkish comedy-drama film co-directed by Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Muharrem Gülmez, from a screenplay by Önder. Produced by Beşiktaş Kültür Merkezi and released across Turkey on 29 December 2006, it portrays, in a tragicomic tone, the impact of the martial law that followed the 12 September 1980 coup on ordinary people and traditional musicians in the country's east. After four months of preparation, the film was shot entirely in Tarsus over seven and a half weeks.

Set in 1982 in a small southern town, the story follows the musician Abuzer Yayladalı and his daughter Gülendam, who is preparing for university, as local players are turned into a modern orchestra to perform at a large military ceremony. Meanwhile, the revolutionary student Haydar has plans of his own, pushing events in an unexpected direction. The film stars Cezmi Baskın, Özgü Namal and Umut Kurt. It won awards at the Adana Golden Boll, Ankara, Istanbul and Thessaloniki festivals and was entered into the 29th Moscow International Film Festival.