Bond film disappoints shopkeepers in Adana

Some streets and avenues were closed to traffic during the month of ‘James Bond’ shooting. Shopkeeprs say that they did not see much profit from the filming. AA photo

Shopkeepers in Adana Residents of the the southern province of Adana, which recently hosted the shooting of some scenes for the latest installment of the James Bond 007 series, “Skyfall,” had hoped the filming would help to promote the city to the world.

Residents of the the southern province of Adana, which recently hosted the shooting of some scenes for the latest installment of the James Bond 007 series, “Skyfall,” had hoped the filming would help to promote the city to the world. But shopkeepers in the city have said that are experiencing hard times because some streets and avenues were closed to traffic during the month of shooting.

The filming of the Bond scenes did not make an economic contribution to shopkeepers in Adana, Adana Union of Chambers of Merchants and Craftsmen Chairman Kazım Barışık said, speaking to Anatolia news agency. He did say, however, that the film could contribute to the cultural promotion of the city.

“The filming was advantageous for the cultural promotion of the city, we cannot deny that. I live in a place where streets were closed to traffic during the shooting. We had some problems, but it will be useful for our city. But I can’t say that the filming made any economic contribution to the city. [The film crew] only contributed to the economy through the places where they stayed and ate. Small shopkeepers did not [see much profit from] the filming,” Barışık said.

Adana Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association Chairman Süleyman Sönmez said that some shopkeepers suffered, but they tolerated it, believing that the Bond film will benefit Adana in the future. “Even if it is a nice thing for the development of our region, some shopkeepers suffered, because some streets were closed to traffic,” he said. Sönmez said it is natural that streets need to be closed to facilitate a project like the film, and that of course some problems will result from it. “This is inevitable. We did not see the Adana scenes of the film; we don’t know anything about it. The James Bond series has been a classic in the world for 50 years. I hope that the shopkeepers’ losses will turn into future earnings,” he said. (Hurriyet Daily News)

Tension rises on Bond film set in Istanbul

British actor Daniel Craig arrives for the photocall of the 23rd film in the James Bond series, 'Skyfall', in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 29, 2012.(AP Photo )

Bodyguards for James Bond actor Daniel Craig struggled to prevent the media from filming the star in between takes, resulting in tension and a minor confrontation on set.

A minor confrontation erupted between reporters and the bodyguards after they attempted to physically interfere and obstruct reporters from capturing shots of the actor. Craig’s team later resorted to using a smoke machine to repel the reporters swarming the set.

Bystanders were affected by the heavy smoke, daily Hürriyet reported.


(ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News)

Bond takes a day off as he enjoys Istanbul islands

James Bond star Daniel Craig was spotted strolling around the Istanbul islands, taking some time off with his wife, Rachel Weisz.

The celeb couple passed on the horse-drawn carriage and chose to discover the islands on foot as they passed through Burgazada and Büyükada of Istanbul's Princes' Islands. Two bodyguards accompanied Craig and Weisz.

The couple dined on Burgazada, after which they spent some time chatting with the locals. (ISTANBUL - Hürriyet)

Bond back to Istanbul on it’s 50th anniversary

The shootings, which also takes place on the roof of Grand Bazzar is said to damage the building. Director Sam Mendes said nothing has damaged. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL

Director Sam Mendes and film stars Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe and Ola Rapace attended a press conference in Istanbul on April 29. Craig says Istanbul and Bond had a close relationship for years

James Bond has once again returned to Istanbul for “Skyfall”, the latest film in the longest running movie series, which celebrates half a century of legendary spy action this year, Director Sam Mendes said Sunday according to AFP.

Mendes, producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, along with film stars Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe and Ola Rapace attended spoke to the press at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski hotel on April 29. “Bond has had a close relationship with Istanbul... It has been 49 years to the day since Bond was last here,” said Craig, who took over the Bond character in 2006 with “Casino Royal,” according to AFP.

“Skyfall,” the 23rd film in the Bond series, is being filmed in several locations in Turkey, between the southern province of Adana and the southwestern coastal town of Fethiye, as well as in Istanbul’s historical Grand Bazaar. Istanbul was chosen as the venue for “Skyfall” to mark the 50 year anniversary of the legend in “the favorite city of Ian Flemming”, the British author who invented “James Bond” in 1953, said Broccoli. “We wanted to be here because it is the most magnificent place. It is an incredible city. I can’t get enough of it,” said Mendes, who spoke to the press in Istanbul after more than 100 days of shooting “Skyfall” in Turkey. Bond may even have a car chase scene on the very epitome of Istanbul, the Bosphorus Bridge, Mendes said, hinting that the city may continue to appear in forthcoming Bond movies.

“We are here for 20 days and we have experienced the best time we’ve had during the shootings. Istanbul is the best city of Turkey,” said Mendes, adding that Turkish people were very friendly towards them.

Mendes also said Craig is a very talented actor and the best actor to play Bond in the new generation.
Crag said this is his second visit to Istanbul. “This is beautiful city. But on the other hand, we had a great time in Fethiye,” he said.

There were many difficult and dangerous scenes to film for the movie according to Craig. “We need to take care of the protection and we used stuntman.”

Mendes said each city they filmed in was different. “We are more into what the city gave to us. The cities that we made the shootings in are very different.” When asked about the damages done by the film crew in the Grand Bazaar, Mendes said they were minimal. “The only damage that was made was on the glass plate that we made.” Responding to a question on whether they will portray Turkey like Iran Craig said the city stands alone. “Istanbul is Istanbul and we do not show it like any other country or city. We will show Istanbul as it is. Do not worry this is a great city,” he said.“Skyfall” is expected to be released in late 2012. Additional reporting from AFP and AA. (ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News)

Aegean town welcomes James Bond film team

Filming for the latest installment of the James Bond movie series, “Skyfall,” has begun in Fethiye in the Aegean province of Muğla.

A team of 1,000 people are in town for the shooting and have erected five tents in an area surrounded by iron fences in Çalış Sörf Café on the Koca Çalış Beach.

Tight security measures have been taken around the area in which the film will be shooting. Security officials have been deployed on a hill overlooking the shooting location. Journalists and photographers were not allowed to enter the area.

Shooting for the film will continue on the Koca Çalış Beach for three days before the team moves to begin filming at the Fethiye Port between April 26 and 28. During filming cars will not be allowed to park on either side of Atatürk Street and in Karagözler neighborhood. (Doğan News Agency)

Günay pleased with Bond filming in city

Despite damage done by film crews, the James Bond film will promote Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar to a global audience, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay has said.

“Some shops are extremely neglected. There are unbelievable additions. While all these things are not considered, I can’t understand why such a film, which will promote a traditional shopping mall to the world, is being criticized so much,” said Günay, who returned from Tunisia yesterday.

Günay said they attempted both to preserve and promote cultural places to the world as much as possible in granting permission for films to shoot in cultural and historical locations.

The shooting of “Valley of the Wolves” or “Kurtlar Vadisi” in the seraglio (sequestered living quarters used by wives and concubines) of the Topkapı Palace in was an exceptional situation, and they have since limited the permission for film shooting in such places, he said.

Günay said that restorations were continuing in those locations. “In the last memorandum, I expressed that such places should not be used in film shootings, unless there is a big necessity, until the restorations are finished,” he said.

Aside from being a shopping mall and living area, the Grand Bazaar is a cultural legacy that the whole world should know about, Günay said.

“This venue is not affiliated with us. We told the film team that we could be of help to them on some issues. They took permission and paid the money. I think some small damages have been exaggerated,” Günay said.

There are many problems the Grand Bazaar needs to overcome, Günay said, adding that municipalities were currently preparing a new project for the bazaar.

Some scenes to be shot in Fethiye
Meanwhile, a number of scenes for the new film are set to be filmed in the Aegean province of Fethiye, the province’s Police Chief İbrahim Saffet Koçer said in a written statement yesterday.

Shooting will take place on Koca Çalış Beach on April 24 and 25 and at Fethiye Port on April 26 and 27, he said. (Anatolia News Agency)

Latest James Bond Film Beings Shot in Istanbul

Shooting of the most recent film “Skyfall” continues in Istanbul’s old quarter Eminonu. The shooting has closed off the Eminonu district, a largely commercial section of the city. While the filming has caused media interest in Istanbul, it has also aggravated many locals who – because of blocked traffic due to the filming – have been unable to go to work.

Security on the film has been very tight and no journalists have been allowed on the set. Because of blocked traffic, fights have occasionally broken out between movie workers and Istanbulites trying to go to work. One local craftsman Mustafa Tavukcu complained that the daily incomes of workers in the Eminonu district where the film is being shot has gone down some 80 percent since the film started.

Meanwhile, according to reports there have been a series of breathtaking scenes such as a car chase through a busy banking neighborhood. (Cihan)