Ertuğrul 1890 (Film)

Ertuğrul 1890 (Japanese: Kainan 1890, English: 125 Years Memory) is a historical drama film co-produced by Türkiye and Japan, directed by Mitsutoshi Tanaka. Released in 2015, the film centers on two historic events symbolizing Turkish-Japanese friendship: the sinking of the Ottoman frigate Ertuğrul off the coast of Kushimoto, Wakayama, in 1890, and the rescue of Japanese citizens by Turkish Airlines during the Iran-Iraq War in 1985.

Plot

1890 – The Ertuğrul Frigate Disaster

The film opens with the journey of the Ertuğrul Frigate, dispatched in 1890 by Sultan Abdülhamid II on a diplomatic mission to Japan. On its return voyage, the frigate sinks off the coast of Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture. Approximately 681 sailors lose their lives, while 69 survive. Despite their own limited resources, the people of Oshima Island provide aid to the surviving Ottoman sailors. This event is regarded as the beginning of Turkish-Japanese friendship.

1985 – The Tehran Evacuation

In the second part, the film recounts the rescue of 215 Japanese citizens trapped in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War. After Iraq closed its airspace, Japan could not send aircraft. Acting on instructions from Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Özal, Turkish Airlines dispatched a plane to Tehran, successfully evacuating the Japanese citizens. The film portrays this act as Türkiye’s gesture of solidarity in return for the assistance shown to the Ottoman sailors in 1890.

Scene from the Film (Anadolu Agency)

Production Process

The film’s story was inspired when director Mitsutoshi Tanaka was shown an old letter belonging to Ottoman diplomats by a friend in Kushimoto. After approximately ten years of preparation, the project was brought to life.

Principal photography began in December 2014. Scenes set in Japan were filmed in Kushimoto and Kyoto, while Turkish scenes were shot in Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Antalya. Over 200 Japanese extras volunteered for the production, and 650 Turkish actors participated in the cast.

The film was produced in Japan by Creators’ Union, Toei Film Studios, and various co-producers; in Türkiye, it was produced by Böcek Yapım.

Cast

The main roles are portrayed by the following actors:

• Seiyô Uchino – Dr. Motosada Tamura
• Kenan Ece – Captain Mustafa (1890) / Murat (1985)
• Shioli Kutsuna – Haru (1890) / Harumi (1985)
• Alican Yücesoy – Bekir Çavuş
• Yui Natsukawa – Yuki
• Toshiyuki Nagashima – Yutaka Nomura
• Many Turkish actors also appear in the film, including Mehmet Özgür, Uğur Polat, Tamer Levent, Deniz Oral, and Melis Babadağ.

Release and Reception

The film was released in Japan on 5 December 2015 and in Türkiye on 25 December 2015. Internationally, it was shown under the title 125 Years Memory.

Upon release, the film drew significant attention at the Turkish box office and was screened in over 300 cinemas in Japan. Its worldwide box office revenue amounted to approximately 5.4 million US dollars.

Awards

The film received ten nominations at the 39th Japan Academy Film Prize, including Best Picture and Best Director, and won awards for Best Sound Recording and Best Art Direction.