Midnight Return: The Story of Billy Hayes and Turkey

The documentary follows Billy Hayes as he returns to Turkey more than 30 years after his dramatic escape from a Turkish prison. In 1970, Hayes was arrested in Istanbul for attempting to smuggle hash out of the country and was sentenced to a lengthy prison term under harsh conditions.

His story became the basis for the Oscar-winning 1978 feature film 'Midnight Express', which drew international attention but also stirred controversy. The film portrayed Turkish prisons and the Turkish people in a way that Hayes has since admitted was exaggeratedly negative and stereotypical.

'Midnight Return' gives Hayes the chance to add nuance to his story and confront the demons of his past. The documentary shows his reconciliation with Turkey and its people, while exploring how a Hollywood interpretation of real events can carry unintended diplomatic and cultural consequences.

The film combines interviews with Hayes himself, archival footage, and reflections on justice, punishment and cultural understanding. It is a thought-provoking follow-up that offers a fuller picture of a case that shocked the world in the 1970s.