A Debut Feature in the Spotlight of Asian Independent Cinema: “Stone and Feather” at Jeonju

Having made a name for himself in independent cinema circles with his short films, Ragıp Türk has made a decisive entry onto the international festival circuit with his debut feature, Stone and Feather (Taş ve Tüy). The film held its world premiere in the main competition of the Jeonju International Film Festival, widely regarded as one of the premier hubs for Asian independent cinema and experimental narrative forms.

Competing for the grand prize in the International Competition section of the festival’s 27th edition in South Korea, the film centers on a quietly resilient struggle waged by a newly released mother against bureaucratic machinery and societal hurdles to reclaim her state-protected son.

Between Harsh Realities and Fragile Hope

Scripted by Ragıp Türk as well, Stone and Feather traces the delicate balance between the harsh realities of life and the fragile hope to which humans cling, through its protagonist, Nazire. As she strives to rebuild her life post-incarceration, Nazire grapples with fulfilling the official requirements of stable employment and housing set by state institutions, while simultaneously confronting the presence of an affluent foster family seeking to adopt her son.

Featuring Melda Tuzluca in the lead role of Nazire, the film’s ensemble cast includes Özgür Meriç, Onur Gözeten, Duygu Aktoprak, Emrah Özdemir, Tuğba Kürükoğlu, Ersen Karagöz, and Süleyman Karaahmet. The visual language is crafted through Emre Pekçakır’s cinematography, with editing by Naim Kanat and production design by Levent Uçma.

From Short Films to Feature Architecture

A graduate of Istanbul University’s Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema, Ragıp Türk expands his narrative scale in his first feature following critically recognized shorts on national and international circuits, such as Attempts at Suicide by a Butterfly (2012) and Tor (2019). Receiving production support from the General Directorate of Cinema of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye and participating in the Antalya Film Forum during development, the project was produced under the banner of RA FILM, co-produced by İris Tahhuşoğlu, Ragıp Türk, and Duygu Aktoprak.

Asia’s Avant-Garde Hub: Jeonju

Regarded since 2000 as one of the most radical platforms for independent filmmakers and innovative narrative forms, the Jeonju International Film Festival possesses an institutional memory of introducing early-career works by figures such as Darren Aronofsky and Béla Tarr to Asian audiences. The inclusion of Stone and Feather in the main competition of a festival of this stature marks a significant milestone in the global circulation of contemporary Turkish independent cinema.