The documentary screening and talk organized by ASULIS Discourse, Dialog and Democracy Laboratory under the auspices of Hrant Dink Foundation was held on March 1 at 6.30 pm in Havak Hall. After the screening of Buçuk (The Half) documentary directed by Elmas Arus and Haluk Arus, a talk with the director Elmas Arus was held, which was moderated by Roman Medya team member Pınar Sayan.

Stating that a need for self-exploration inspired the documentary, Elmas Arus said that they decided to establish Zero Discrimination Association with the feeling of responsibility and in the name of a rights-based struggle after the nine years of shooting the documentary. Stating that the shooting, which they started with an amateur spirit, took 9 years and resulted in a serious oral history work, Arus noted that they used only one hour of the 360-hour video they have. 

Arus stated that Romani initiative process in Turkey had been supported by Romani people, but they feel frustrated now that the promises are not kept. She also added that social discrimination against Romani people is more intense today. Noting the lack of women representatives in numerous Romani NGOs, Arus also stated that these NGOs are not enough for struggle for rights, since they don’t have human rights based framework.

Summary: According to an old saying, there are seventy-two nations in the world and the Gypsies (Roma) constitute the "seventy-two and a half" nation of the world. Haluk Arus' and his wife Elmas Arus' (who is also of Roma origin) documentary The Half is a comprehensive film about Gypsies of 38 cities in seven different regions of Turkey. Gypsies from all over Turkey, the Roms, Loms, Doms recount their lives, cultural differences, social compositions, traditions, contradictions and also their social, cultural and economic deadlocks.