A Gift from “A Welcome Distraction”: The Recipe for Belonging

Deniz Orhun
2 days ago
4 min read

Published: American TurkNetwork Magazine, Washington DC, December 2025 , "CULINARY CHRONICLES"

This year, the Turkish community received a remarkable gift from the 44th Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), featuring a young Turkish-American producer. In this article, I would like to highlight the film, A Welcome Distraction, and share the success story of its production team with TurkNetwork readers.

Writer and Director Brian Daniel Johnson, along with producers Dide Su Bilgin (29), a Turkish- American, and Maddy Chang (26), represent a young generation of filmmakers eager to tell unique, region-specific stories through the collective efforts of a strong community. The film "A Welcome Distraction" is a sprawling character study that unfolds over a year in the Pacific Northwest. The microbudget indie sold out its first two screenings, prompting VIFF to add a third show and revealing the anticipation moviegoers have for it within the local scene. Shortly after its world premiere in Vancouver, where it was made, A Welcome Distraction had its U.S. premiere as a "centrepiece film" at the Tacoma Film Festival (TFF) in October at The Grand Cinema.

The film explores the search for belonging - a theme where everyone can find a place for themselves. What makes the film remarkable is the thought-provoking theme, its microbudget and the team's dedication to shooting it outside their regular jobs. The sincerity, honesty, determination, creativity, and hard work of the film's producers are evident, even in the way they answered questions after the screening.

Says Dide Su Bilgin, one of the film's producers: “We shot this way for two reasons: Brian's story followed the seasons over a year, and we knew we couldn't fake that. At the same time, we are all working 9-to-5 jobs, so disappearing for a three-week shoot wasn't possible. The beauty was doing it within our means, having fun, and still sticking our necks out creatively.”

Here's what Johnson has to say about the film: "It was just something that we all felt we needed to do. From the beginning, we were told that the only way to get a budget for a film was through Canadian funding structures, and because of our international team, we didn't fit that mold. We knew we'd have to find another path. But that never discouraged us. We all looked around and thought, well, we have some good tools, we have lots of talent around us, how about we do it ourselves? So I wrote a script, and we all got to work. From there, it became about borrowing, cashing in favors, and figuring out how to get it all done. I think that spirit of collaboration is what made film possible; I think you can feel that on the screen.”

Mady Chang said, concerning the approach of the project: "We're not saying this is the new way to make movies. But ultimately, it paid off. It was so exciting, because half the time, with such a small footprint, you'd wonder, 'What are we even filming? Can this really look good?’ And then seeing it on screen, it was like, ‘Oh my God! This looks cool. This looks different.’"

I can feel the hard work I am sure you can, too.

Here are the details of "A Welcome Distraction"

Writer/Director: Brian Daniel Johnson

Producers: Dide Su Bilgin, Maddy Chang

Executive Producer: Mike Johnston

Cast: Simon Farrell, Madison Isolina, Liam McCulley, Adriana Marchand

Cinematography: Andriy Lyskov

Editor: Sam Mohseni

Composer: Zachary Treble Featuring music by Brennan Doyle and Nick McClurg

Language & Runtime: English, 97 minutes

The search for belonging is something we all experience at times, whether in work life, family relationships, friendships, or even joining a club. Sometimes, belonging can even feel like a privilege. Is it a good or bad thing? Is it necessary or not? Do we have control over where we belong? Can we choose to belong? I don’t know! But what I do know is that when it comes to “belonging”, one of the luckiest figures, in my opinion, is Santa Claus, as he belongs to many cultures under different names and similar figures. One similar figure is Ayaz Ata (Frost Father), a winter god from Turkic mythology. A tale that contributed to the legend of Santa Claus is that of St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop originally from Demre, Turkiye. Essentially, they highlight the same themes of generosity, winter, and kindness. What would it be like if the recipes you create, and the care you put into them, could bring people health in the same way? A little piece of kindness, generosity, and a touch of health, shared across tables around the world! It’s a big thought! Maybe even a silly one, but isn’t that what the holiday season is for: “Dreaming of the good we can bring into other people’s lives, no matter how small?” It could be a recipe, a gift, or a nice word. By saying this, I wish my recipes could do that. This holiday season, let’s channel that spirit by supporting each other and prioritizing our health with thoughtful choices, like sharing healthy treats. If you decide to be a part of a healthy community, make sure the food on your table supports your well-being. The best gift you can give yourself might be the decision to take care of your health. On that note, I would love to share my “Antioxidant Pudding” recipe, which I hope even Santa might enjoy for a little health boost. Wishing you a year filled with health, happiness, and tranquility.

Antioxidant Pudding

Antioxidant Pudding

You can prepare this dessert in advance and store it in the fridge. It is nutritious and contains no added sugar, relying only on the natural sweetness of its ingredients. Its style is reminiscent of the oldest Turkish desserts, “Aşure”. It is simple to make and provides both energy and a sense of pleasure.

Yield: 2 Servings