Turkish pro-government newspaper, Hurriyet has put the film ” Smyrna my beloved”, which is based on the synonymous play by Mimi Denisi in its crosshairs.

With the front-page headline “Global film of the invader – Greek propaganda in 100 US cinemas”, the newspaper defiantly accuses Greece that “on the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Smyrna” Greece will “propagandise” the historical events against Turkey with the film that opens on December 8 in 700 US theaters.

“The film ‘Smyrna’ accuses Turkey of committing genocide against the Greeks and Armenians in Smyrna during the war and the Greek occupation, while it is presented as the highest-budget production in Greece,” the publication writes, clearly annoyed that the high-end Greek blockbuster – with an international cast – will be screened in America.

In the same vein, Hurriyet continues: “The movie, filmed on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Anatolia from Greek occupation – which the Greeks call the “Asia Minor Catastrophe” – will premiere for the first time on November 29 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York under the auspices of the Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN. The film will also be screened at the European Parliament in Brussels on January 11, 2023,” the article says, pointing out:

“Filmed in Athens, Lesvos, and Chios, the film depicts the liberation of Smyrna from Greek occupation by the Greek side, which discredits Turkey. In the film, the Baltazi family also speaks out against Kemal Atatürk.

“For so long they were not bothered about the screening of the film in Greece, but now it will be shown in the USA, and on January 11, 2023, at the European Parliament” noted the SKAI correspondent.

The newspaper’s shots are also directed at the popular Turkish actor Burak Haki, who plays Halil, the driver and butler of the Baltazi family.

“Burak Haki stated at the premiere of ‘My Beloved Smyrna’ that he is proud to be a part of this film,” comments Hurriyet.