Q1：Blue ID is your first feature film which you spent ten years filming. Could you elaborate on how you embarked on this journey?
Blue ID is a film I co-directed with Burcu Melekoglu. When I first met Rüzgar, he was about 17 years old. We have been close friends for years, and both Burcu and I were the first people he came out to as a trans person. 12 years ago, we used to help him search for information about the gender affirmation process. Since Rüzgar doesn't speak English and there were no resources in Turkish back then, Burcu and I translated whatever information we could find for him, most of it was from North America.
At one point, Rüzgar suggested that we document his journey. He thought that perhaps, years later, he might feel comfortable sharing it, and maybe we could create a film to help people in Turkey who have no access to resources on this topic. Filming alone took about six years, followed by a two-year break, and another two years in editing.
Q2： What was on your mind when Rüzgar first approached you with this idea? Given that he's such a close friend, how did you navigate through your roles both as friend and co-director?
It started as something between friends, we weren’t initially thinking about a full feature film—we were just there with him, experiencing the process alongside him. Burcu and I have a background in filmmaking, but this didn’t start as a professional project. It was more playful, like, “How could this moment be a scene? Let’s just capture it this way.” We simply set up the camera and filmed as things happened, without planning a full production. But about six months later, his doctor leaked his story to the press. At that point, we realized we needed to approach it as a professional film, and that’s how it evolved.
Navigating our roles as both friends and filmmakers was tricky. To be honest, we were there as friends first, with the director role only coming into play during editing. When Rüzgar had to hide from the press, he stayed at Burcu's place, and we all lived together—Burcu, me, Rüzgar, and another close friend. We became his main support system.
Throughout the process, we prioritized being friends over filmmakers, constantly checking in with Rüzgar and getting his consent on everything we filmed, by doing so, there weren’t disagreements. Rüzgar is the first visible transmasculine person in Turkey, so none of us knew what to expect. We trusted our instincts, capturing the moments we felt mattered while supporting him as he navigated uncharted territory, facing whatever challenges came our way.
Q3： What were the major challenges you encountered while making this film? Given the film's significant media exposure and societal attention, Rüzgar repeatedly expressed concern about his safety. Was safety also a concern for the filming team?
It wasn’t that making an LGBTQ+ film or being LGBTQ+ was illegal or caused issues for us directly in that sense. The real difficulty came from him being constantly harassed and followed by the media and paparazzi. It was awkward and uncomfortable, especially when the press crowded his place, and we couldn’t move freely, filming him became a huge challenge for us. Following him with a professional camera was nearly impossible. So, we decided to capture moments as they happened, instead of planning scenes, we were just being there with him, capturing life as it unfolded.
Speaking of Rüzgar’s safety issue, our concerns were more about him, being the first visible trans man in Turkey, and not knowing what kind of reaction he might face. I didn’t feel unsafe, and I don’t think Burcu did either. But I understand Rüzgar’s concerns. Social media can be harsh—back then, just like today. People say whatever they think and often feel entitled to comment on others’ lives. So, while there was a lot of support, it’s understandable that the negative voices were loud and overwhelming, making it easy to feel under threat.
Q4: Were there also supportive voices that emerged? What is the most important way to show support?
On Twitter, many fans of Rüzgar showed their support, focusing on him as a person rather than his gender. Some actors and directors also voiced their encouragement, and his former manager, who appears in the film, showed up to support him after hearing what he was going through. These supportive voices made a big difference.
For us, the best way to support him was simply by being there, none of us knew how to handle a situation like this. Professionally, it would have helped to have a PR team to guide us through the media storm, but ultimately, being there for him in a personal way was the most meaningful support we could offer. We spent time together, listening to music, hosting house parties, and watching films—moments that allowed him to unwind and provided some relief from the constant stress.
Q5.：In the latter part of the film, Rüzgar's gender transition receives official recognition, successfully changing his Pink ID to Blue ID. A few years later Turkey changed its ID cards completely to plain ones. Can you elaborate on the social backdrop for us? Would you say that Turkey in 2024 is a more accepting time for queer communities?
Over the past decade, we’ve experienced a significant rollback of rights. Legally, we may have protections, but in practice, they are being undermined, and a pervasive, dark propaganda campaign targeting LGBTQ+ individuals is happening. Thankfully the community remains resilient. People continue to protest and take to the streets, refusing to hide in fear. Despite the setbacks, the spirit of resistance is strong. It’s not only LGBTQ+ rights that are under attack—women’s rights are also being eroded, and patriarchal forces are rising globally.
A major shift is how confrontational activism has become. Pride marches used to carry a sense of celebration alongside protest, even if they were not like the big party parades in places like New York. Now, they are met with police resistance, and being visible in public has become far more dangerous. Still, the movement persists. NGOs, activists, and outspoken public figures continue to fight for LGBTQ+ rights despite mounting pressure.
In 2024, Turkey is far from being an accepting environment for queer communities. Government propaganda is relentless, filled with hate speech that targets LGBTQ+ people, even absurdly blaming them for the COVID pandemic. This vitriol comes from the highest levels of authority, fostering an atmosphere of hostility. Confronting these challenges, the focus is on solidarity. The community supports one another not only emotionally but also economically, forming a strong and effective network. Their unity is essential, providing protection and upliftment. Even under immense pressure, the LGBTQ+ community continues to do what needs to be done to survive and resist.
Q6：Could you share your observations on how Rüzgar's mindset shifts from a desire for privacy at the beginning to a willingness to speak up and represent the queer community?
Through his public gender transition, although Rüzgar never intended to become a spokesperson for transgender rights, he inevitably became an influential cultural symbol within the queer community. Today, young people in Turkey say, "I am like Rüzgar" to express their gender identity. Initially, he wanted nothing more than to live a peaceful, ordinary life without drawing attention. This is a common wish among many trans individuals who prefer not to be seen as activists. However, being forcibly outed and enduring tremendous public scrutiny left Rüzgar with no choice but to confront and ultimately embrace his visibility.
Even now, Rüzgar has not become an active advocate but has chosen to live as a transgender man under public attention, and the queer community in Turkey understands and respects this. His openness alone is already profoundly meaningful and impactful. While his authenticity on platforms like Instagram, where he and his influencer wife share their life, his openness alone has created a profoundly meaningful impact. It’s inspiring to witness how he has reclaimed his narrative and strength.
Q7: Many footages were shot by Rüzgar himself using his phone. These raw, intimate monologues captured his feelings and struggles authentically. How did these personal videos come about? And how did you decide which footage to include?
Documenting his experiences through video diaries was something Rüzgar had already been doing. It’s actually a common practice among many trans individuals. We didn’t suggest it; we were already collaborating on the film, and he was recording these moments independently. Sometimes he even filmed with the project in mind, capturing moments that could be included even if we weren’t there with him.
Our main focus throughout the film was always the trans audience. We wanted to portray Rüzgar’s experience in a way that made them feel understood and less alone because transitioning is a profoundly complex process—both medically and psychologically, marked by ups and downs, confusion, and concerns. It was important for us to validate those feelings, and Rüzgar felt safe enough with us to share this side of himself. That trust enabled us to use his personal footage, which ultimately made the story resonate deeply, especially with trans viewers. The film powerfully conveys the community's solidarity and shared sense of experience.
Choosing which footage to include was a long and difficult process. We had nearly 300 hours of material since filming took six years. As we secured more funding, we filmed some stunning professional scenes. Yet, in the end, we chose not to use them. This was one of the hardest decisions we had to make. We spent two years editing, going through multiple cuts that didn’t feel right until we decided to focus on the home videos. Using Rüzgar’s phone footage allowed us to authentically capture his struggles and maintain the film’s genuine intimacy. Our friendship was also a crucial part of the story. The film wouldn’t exist without that bond, and we wanted the audience to sense it.
Q8: If it weren't for the dedication and persistence in documenting this journey over a decade, this film wouldn't have come to life. We would have missed the chance to share both the profound struggles and the triumphant moments of his experience. Has your relationship with Rüzgar evolved over these ten years of filming?
What matters most is to recognize that while the journey was undoubtedly difficult, it was also filled with hope and growth. Reflecting on the past decade, our relationship with Rüzgar has definitely evolved. As he has become more at peace with himself, our bond has also transformed. It feels more relaxed now, less urgent or crisis-driven. We’ve always had fun together, but this chapter is different—it feels lighter and more joyful, as we are both able to enjoy each other’s company without the weight of constant struggle. It’s a new era for him, and that has brought a beautiful, calm energy to our friendship.
Q9: Now looking back, what does it mean to you as a team to make this film?
That's a really meaningful question. Creating this film holds deep significance for us because it wasn't just about Rüzgar’s journey; it became our journey as well. As members of the queer community, we've witnessed so many changes and challenges in Turkey over the past 10 years. Making this film gave us purpose and a way to stay strong, even during difficult times. It created a powerful sense of connection to our community, driving us forward with resilience and hope.
