AMERICANS SMELL GOOD, 66min,. USA
Directed by Emir Cakaroz
The film combines the filmmaker’s story in the U.S.A. with people from different social, racial, and ethnic backgrounds that he wouldn’t have met if he hadn’t come to this country. It explores the experience of being in between many cultures when living in a foreign land.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Immigration, a sense of belonging, connection, and isolation were always occurring themes in my films. However, I was mostly focusing on my family’s immigration from Bulgaria to Turkey and its long-term effects in my previous films. This time, I realized I had enough experience to make a film about my immigration from Turkey to the USA and I made it!

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

I would say I started at the beginning of 2020, but I had to take long breaks because
of Covid. I completed the film in March 2024, so around four years, I guess.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Personal History

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Covid! The world was in a big chaos in that period. We didn’t know what was going on and what would happen next. The fear was everywhere. Therefore, scheduling filming was very difficult.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was amazing! It was a great feeling to see people understand what you wanted to do, and they actually enjoyed the film. It was also great to see how the audience made personal connection with the film.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I finished my short film, Dad’s Apple, in November 2019. It was about my memories of my Dad. As I mentioned above, I realized I had enough experience to make a film about my immigration from Turkey to the USA, and I made it.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Nanook of the North. I saw this film many times as a college student and now as a college instructor. I show it to my students every year, so I have been watching it. I love it. It’s a great film.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
When a festival selects your film and later wins an award, it’s very encouraging. As an independent filmmaker, that is a great motivation to continue making films. However, festival submissions are very costly, and reducing them would help many filmmakers like me.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
It makes film submission very easy, and it’s a very user-friendly website.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza)

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I have been teaching for 20 years now in different colleges. I want to find my former students and record them. I would like to see what their dreams were when they were in college and what they are doing now.