On March 15, 2019, Temel Atacocugu was praying in the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch.
He heard gunshots and turned to lock eyes with the gunman. He saw a puff of smoke from the rifle and then felt a bullet hit his teeth. It was the first of nine bullets to tear through his body.
He believes his survival is a miracle.
Over the last year, Frank Film and Stuff have followed Atacocugu’s long recovery from the physical and mental trauma of the attack.
It is not only the story of how he walked out of the mosque alive on March 15, but what happened next. It is a story of defiance, pilgrimage and healing.
This is a survivor’s story.
Terror attack survivor Temel Atacocugu returns to the Al Noor Mosque to tell his extraordinary story of survival.
Warning: These videos contain some bad language.A survivor stands defiant and a family rushes from Turkey to be with their injured son.
Warning: These video contain some bad language.A pilgrimage to Mecca brings healing and a chance at redemption.
Warning: These videos contain some bad language.Temel’s best mate and business partner remembers a desperate search.
Warning: These videos contain some bad language.Temel returns to his Turkish homeland and remembers his childhood.
Warning: These videos contain some bad language.Temel visits an old friend and learns about the Turkish reaction to March 15.
Warning: These videos contain some bad language.Nearly one year on, Temel talks to fellow survivors at the Al Noor Mosque.
Warning: These videos contain some bad language.Development
Charlie Gates, Gerard Smyth
Management
Jo Ffitch
Photography
Gerard Smyth
Assistant Editors
Charlie Gates, Jendy Harper
Series Commissioner
Carol Hirschfeld
Colourist
Mike Kelland
Audio Post
Chris Sinclair
Original Music
David Long, Riki Gooch
Editor
Oliver Dawe
Wrtiter and Director
Gerard Smyth
Producer
Gerard Smyth
Reporter
Charlie Gates
Editorial Supervisor
Kamala Hayman
Designer and Developer
Sungmi Kim
Interactive Editor
Janine Fenwick
Our sincere thanks to Temel Atacocugu and his family
made with the support of NZ On Air