Confusion Turning to Expectation
By Nil Kural

Confusion was the dominant feeling in the air as the Talents from many different countries walked in one of the Talent Campus's buildings HAU 1 for the first time. The urge to get rid of the bags and to collect the tickets as well as the cards was mainly the first things that many of them had in mind. Almost everyone looked very tired due to the journey and was complaining about the cold weather, especially the people who came from warm countries like Argentina, India and Cuba.

After the necessary jobs were finished, the Talents gathered around in groups. These groups had people from different countries and also from different continents. As a result of this, the first question was usually "Where are you from?". Then the conversation turned to cinema in the blink of an eye. If the people were coming from different countries they told each other about their national cinema, quickly listed their favorite directors, explained their film projects and future plans with sparkles in their eyes. Once they started to talk about cinema, that common subject that brought them together in Berlinale Talent Campus, all the exhaustion of journey disappeared and nobody complained about the cold either. The confusion of arrival and unknown turned into excitement.

Since they had just arrived to the Talent Center, many of them thought it was too early for plans. Nevertheless, the names of the events could be heard in the conversation of each group. Everyone was excited about a different event due to their interests. Some were thrilled about the chance to hear Walter Salles talking the next morning, some were very happy that they will be seeing John Waters few days later and some were waiting for their favorite cinematographer. It seems that every one had more than one thing to look forward to. As a result of this, expectations strengthened the feeling of excitement.

Once the conversations got longer, they left the HAU 1 in order to see look around Berlin and carry on with the cinema conversation accompanied with a cup of coffee. In the evening, the Berlinale Talent Campus is having the Opening Party so they know that they will have a lot time to talk to each other and exchange ideas later.

Jack, whose surname I did not get since no introduction is formal in the Campus, attended the Talent Campus a few years ago and had a short film that will be screened at the short film program of Berlin International Film Festival this year. He was also there talking to new Talents about his film, stating that he was very happy to come back and he felt at home. His situation proves that the Campus is reaching the aim: taking young filmmakers careers to a further point and giving them an experience that will be missed after it is finished.

Nil Kural

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