Italian director on world tour explores Istanbul

An Italian director who has traveled to 35 countries and made short films and documentaries is currently in Istanbul to tell the story of the "Queen of Cities." 

Franco Dubini arrived in the Turkish metropolis two weeks ago and is attempting to explore the streets of the historic city to make comprehensive documentaries on Turkish culture.

"What is important for me with my camera is to destroy the stereotypes that people who don't travel or who are just used to seeing things on television or reading about in newspapers are afraid of," Dubini told Anadolu Agency.

Dubini hit the road with his camera four years ago and shot documentaries on many different subjects, from coffee producers in Indonesia to the difficult life of refugees in Greece.

He came to Turkey, which he had been curious about for years, and every day, he shares videos on his social media accounts from his first stop Istanbul, which he defines as "the center of the world for centuries."

"I was born in Switzerland, but I am Italian inside my bones because I was raised by Italian parents," he said.

Later, he moved to Berlin, Germany, where he studied German and graphic design.

"I got a scholarship and I moved to Australia," he said, adding there at the age of 23, he was "very lucky to find my real passion, which is filmmaking."

"I quit the university. I saved some money. I was a waiter. I was cleaning bathrooms for Airbnb, saved some money, and bought my first camera," he said, adding he traveled to Indonesia and the U.S. to build his portfolio.

Between Asia and Europe

Pointing out that he came to Istanbul at the beginning of June, he recounted his first impression of the city.

"I had to come to Istanbul...