A Turkish-British cinematic journey across nine cities launches in the UK, with worldwide streaming and a new opportunity for emerging creative voices.
LONDON, 25 AUGUST 2026 — YEMEK: The Movie, a 93-minute historical drama and gastronomic film connecting British literary history with the landscapes, stories and culture of Anatolia, launched its UK campaign in London with a special launch dinner at Cafe Lemon.
In one of the evening’s standout moments, Jesu Piceno delivered a captivating live performance, treating guests to a musical feast with the clarinet and various global ethnic instruments. Additionally, veteran actor Jon Crosse , who portrays Horace Walpole in the film, attended the launch to meet with members of the press and share insights into his iconic role.
Written and directed by Ebru Cengiz Ergen, with Ali Kaygısız as co-director, the film was produced across Türkiye and the UK, travelling through nine cities and working with two principal directors alongside city directors. The production brings together London, Ankara, Istanbul, Sivas, Bodrum, Tirebolu, Diyarbakır, Mardin and Cappadocia in a story that moves between different periods, places and human experiences.
At the heart of YEMEK: The Movie is Horace Walpole, portrayed through his real historical personality and literary identity. Walpole’s Hieroglyphic Tales becomes a key element in a story where time, memory and human suffering intersect.
The film follows Ellen, a time traveller sent to Anatolia, who becomes the companion of some stories and the unseen observer of others. As the boundaries between past, present and future begin to dissolve, the stories of people and their suffering continue to travel through time.
The film’s central idea is captured in its slogan:
“Pain is passed down through history.”
From British Literary History to Turkish Rock
The film also creates an unexpected bridge between British literary heritage and contemporary Turkish culture.
Aykan İlkan, one of the notable figures of the Turkish rock music scene, makes his screen acting debut in YEMEK: The Movie. He plays a former boxer whose troubled life brings him into the path of Ellen. His character is killed by the time traveller and later reappears as Plato, adding another layer to the film’s exploration of time, identity and storytelling.
The film’s original music was composed by Can Yılmaz, further bringing together contemporary Turkish musical culture and the film’s historical and cinematic world.
More Than a Film: An Opportunity for New Creative Voices
YEMEK: The Movie is also designed to create a pathway for people who want to establish themselves in cinema, photography, journalism and writing.
From 4 September 2026, the film will be available worldwide through FAbUK PLUS .
Viewers will be invited to respond to the film in their own words and through their own creative disciplines, sharing what they believe the film means and what they take from its stories.
Selected contributors whose interpretations come closest to the ideas the filmmakers sought to explore will have the opportunity to work with the project on paid, contracted creative assignments within their own fields.
The ambition is therefore not simply to create an audience, but to discover new voices and give them an opportunity to turn their response to a film into real creative work.
International Production
YEMEK: The Movie was produced by FAbUK Production, 24 Kare and Sinemy Academy.
Written by: Ebru Cengiz Ergen
Directed by: Ebru Cengiz Ergen & Ali Kaygısız
Produced by: Cem Kaplan, Ebru Cengiz Ergen, Ali Kaygısız & Cüneyt Tüfekçioğlu
Starring: Olga Roh, Evelien van Pelt, Jon Crosse, Aykan İlkan and İpek Epçaçan.
Live Music / Performance: Jesu Piceno
The film was edited by Fono Film and its dubbing work was completed under the direction of Aziz Acar at Global Dubbing Center.
The original language is Turkish, with English subtitles.
UK and Worldwide Release Schedule
London Launch: 25 August 2026
Turkish Gala: 3 September 2026
Worldwide Digital Release: 4 September 2026 (via FAbUK PLUS)
YEMEK: The Movie will be accessible to audiences around the world through FAbUK PLUS
ABOUT YEMEK: THE MOVIE
YEMEK: The Movie is a 93-minute historical drama and gastronomic film exploring how stories, memories and human suffering travel across time.
Moving between Britain and Anatolia, the film brings together Horace Walpole, time travel, gastronomy and contemporary Turkish culture in an unconventional cinematic journey.
“Pain is passed down through history.”
PHOTOS : Ester Ricci