Documentary of Antioch shaken by the earthquake: Some Cities Are Indestructible

Especially with the effect of this important characteristic of Antioch, Screenwriter Jale Nakkaşoğlu, Director Nuri Koçak and Journalist / Writer Osman Şenkul, who came together very soon after the earthquake, decided to prepare a documentary film to be hosted by the famous actor and former TİP MP Barış Atay, by bringing together their findings covering the relations of Antakya, the ancient city of the Mediterranean basin, with all the civilisations in the region in where it is located and its impact on historical developments.

Speaking to Hibya News Agency, the members of the Documentary Team highlighted the unique features of Antioch, a city of “firsts” throughout its history. They emphasised its status as a “crowded city where the wisest people are found, where the most liberal research can be done”, as described by historian Cicero. The team’s goal is to showcase these unique aspects and contribute to the revival of Antioch’s unique values through their documentary project, adding:

“The documentary project, consisting of several episodes, aims to preserve the history of Antioch, a city with a fascinating past dating back to the early ages. The team will base their narrative on historical documents and expert opinions to revive lost artefacts and contribute to the city’s reconstruction.

“The glorious past of Antioch/Hatay, which caused great sadness with its destruction, sheds light on its future. We will relive the impressive and fascinating history of the city of civilisations, rebuilt after every major destruction, and learn about its important role in human history.

“We aim to open up for discussion and reflection on what can be done today to keep Antioch, destroyed by earthquakes before but rebuilt, away from future dangers. In our documentary project, we aim to reflect on the catastrophe that Antioch experienced and its current situation and to be a part of a long-term solution.

“We want to support the city of civilisations to be brought to the point it deserves by giving place to expert opinions on the understanding with which historical monuments should be protected in the reconstruction of the city.”

According to the information given by the documentary team, the first part of the ‘Some Cities Are Indestructible Documentary’, which consists of four parts and will tell the impressive history of Antioch, will re-enact important events in the ancient city’s past. At the same time, the presenter will enter the re-enacted scenes from time to time and present the region’s history with a stronger narrative.

For example, in the first episode, set in the 40s AD, a cloud of dust appears on the horizon, and some silhouettes are seen approaching the narrator. The narrator says, “Here they come,” and adds, “Peter (Saint Peter), Barnabas, and Paul come to Antioch…”

The documentary’s second part begins with a view of the Abu Najjar mosque, which was largely destroyed in the recent earthquake. From various angles, we see the mosque in ruins. Among the ruins, the presenter tells the story of the Apostles’ friendship with Abu Najjar, a carpenter from Antioch, how the Apostles cured Abu Najjar’s leper son, and the conversations between Habibi Najjar, Barnabas, and Paul.

The third part of the documentary begins with a Hebrew song sung by the Antakya Civilisations Choir. After listening to this song for a while, as the voices slowly fade out, the presenter, who takes the front of the choir, this time tells about the Jews of Antioch because when the Hebrews came to Antioch 23 centuries ago through Syria and Lebanon to trade, some of them liked the city and settled here. At that time, Jews in Antioch, the third largest city in the region after Rome and Alexandria, had migrated from the south to the north, not from Europe, unlike the Sephardim living in Istanbul.

The fourth and final part of the documentary begins with the presenter describing the city as “a mosaic of Sunnis, Alawites, Syriacs, Catholics, Orthodox and Jews”. Then, the presenter, who appears in the close-up, explains the purpose of the four-part documentary Antakya:

“With its values, Antakya is a city that earthquakes cannot destroy. Now, to regain this unique Capital of Civilisations and heal its wounds, we have consulted the opinions of experts in the fields of architecture, design, restoration and urbanism in the world and in our country…Antakya deserves to survive forever with all its beauties.”