England-based actress Eloise Sarasini travelled to Sivas, Türkiye, to film her role in Yemek The Movie, a feature that brings together nine directors under a shared creative vision to tell interconnected stories spanning from the 1770s to the present day.

For Sarasini, the production became more than a filming experience. Arriving in an Anatolian city she had never visited, she found herself navigating unfamiliar surroundings in much the same way as the character she portrays. According to the film’s lead director, Ebru Cengiz Ergen, the actress’s adaptability, natural screen presence and commitment to the role made a lasting impression throughout production.

A Multi-Director Film Connecting Centuries

Yemek The Movie combines stories set in different cities through a shared narrative that stretches from the 1770s to the present day. The project is directed collectively by nine filmmakers, with Ebru Cengiz Ergen serving as lead director while also directing the film’s Sivas chapter.

When casting the role, Ergen said she was searching for an actress capable of conveying genuine curiosity and openness to discovery—qualities central to the screenplay.

Her producing partner, Cem Kaplan, recommended Eloise Sarasini.

Ergen recalled the casting process:

“For the Sivas story, I needed an actress who was bright and lively, who had not lost the excitement in her spirit and who remained open to discovery. I was looking for someone who could express that sense of curiosity through her expressions, her posture and her entire presence—and who could adapt to the role very quickly. Cem Kaplan recommended Eloise Sarasini.”

A First Conversation Before Filming

Because Sarasini was travelling from England to join the production in Türkiye, she and Ergen were unable to meet before filming began. Their first conversation took place over WhatsApp.

Despite the distance, Ergen said she immediately felt confident in the actress’s suitability for the role.

“We did not have the chance to meet face to face. We spoke over WhatsApp, but her energy reached me immediately. I understood that I could trust her and place the character I had created in her hands. She came all the way from England to Sivas, an Anatolian city she knew absolutely nothing about, and created something wonderful there.”

A Real-Life Journey That Reflected the Story

Sarasini’s experience closely paralleled the journey of her character in the film.

In Yemek The Movie, her character travels to Sivas on an assignment given by Ellen, with whom she has since lost contact. Unsure of her purpose in the city, she has only one clue