Keyart Design

The Color of Victory: Fenerbahçe's Historic Triumph and Its Political Resonance

In an era marked by political intersections and marginalized communities, sports events, particularly football matches, have become crucial platforms on the global political stage. Sports clubs, acting as covert platforms, bring people together, fostering unity and providing a space for political expression. Recognizing this influential power, sports managers and clubs have consistently engaged with politics, gaining significant attention from political administrations. The upcoming Turkish cinema film, “The Color of Victory,” directed and produced by Abdullah Oğuz and co-produced by Evren Oğuz, delves into this intersection between sports and politics, focusing on the historical significance of a football match that resonates with Turkey’s past.

Scheduled for release on February 16, 2024, “The Color of Victory” embarks on a journey starting from the days of Istanbul’s occupation following the Armistice of Mondros after World War I. The narrative centers around the “Harington Cup,” a prestigious football competition won by the Fenerbahçe football team, featuring numerous historical figures from that period.

A key aspect of the film's promotion is the innovative key art project crafted by Emrah Yucel the founder of I Mean It Creative. Beyond highlighting the political relevance of the film, the project also emphasizes the strong ensemble cast through an iconic design. The Fenerbahçe flag, with its distinctive yellow and dark blue colors, serves as a symbolic backdrop, not only sending a message to fans but also creating visual harmony with the portrayed players.

The General Harington Cup, a football match organized in honor of General Charles Harington, the commander of the British occupation forces departing Istanbul, holds a pivotal place in the storyline. The historical match took place on June 29, 1923, at Taksim Stadium in Istanbul, where Fenerbahçe faced a mixed English team led by the British commander-in-chief. Fenerbahçe emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, courtesy of two goals from Zeki Rıza Sporel. The jubilant scenes of Fenerbahçe players being carried out of the stadium on the shoulders of ecstatic spectators, parading through the streets of Beyoğlu, showcased the immense love and pride evoked by this triumph.

The impact of this victory extended beyond the football field, reaching the Turkish Delegation at the Lausanne Conference on the same night. İsmet Pasha, the head of the delegation, conveyed his congratulations to the Fenerbahçe club, stating, “On behalf of our delegation, I would like to congratulate all of you with happiness and kiss your eyes with joy.” A congratulatory telegram further underscored the significance of this achievement in the broader political context.

“The Color of Victory” promises to not only capture the exhilarating spirit of Fenerbahçe’s historic win but also shed light on the intricate relationship between sports, politics, and national pride during a transformative period in Turkish history. As the film takes audiences back to a pivotal moment, it invites them to reflect on the enduring impact of sports on shaping a nation’s identity and resilience in the face of historical challenges.