Cinema of Turkey: Top Directors
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Atif Yilmaz Batibeki was a renowned Turkish film director, screenwriter, and film producer. After finishing high school in Mersin, he attended the Law School of Istanbul University. Because of his interest in arts, he dropped out of Law School and entered the Painting Department of the Academy of Fine Arts in Istanbul. After graduating from the Academy, he did some painting works in workshops. His education in painting helped him when he was directing his movies, as he once remarked. In the beginning, he worked as a film critic, made paintings and wrote film scripts to earn a living. After co-directing two movies as an assistant director to Semih Evin in 1950, his directing career began with the film Kanli Feryat (The Bloody Cry). In 1960, he established his film company "Yerli Film" with the actor Orhan Günsiray.
The most important movies in his filmography were: Hickirik (The Sob), Alageyik (The Fallow Deer), Suclu (The Guilty One), Seni Kaybedersem (If I Lose You), Yaban Gülü (The Wild Rose), Kesanli Ali Destani (Kesanli Ali's Epic), Tacsiz Kral (The Crownless King), Topragin Kani (Blood of the Earth), Olum Tarlasi (Death Field), Utanc (The Shame), Zavallilar (The Poor People), Selvi Boylum, Al Yazmalim (My Girl with the Red Scarf), Baskin (The Raid), Adak (The Sacrifice), Bir Yudum Sevgi (A Sip of Love), Adi Vasfiye (Her Name is Vasfiye), Berdel, Düs Gezginleri (Walking After Midnight), Eylül Firtinasi (After the Fall) and Mine.
He made movies that were both fluent and had mainly social messages. Most of the themes of his movies were taboo when they were produced. Particularly "Mine" and "Her Name is Vasfiye" were both revolutionary at the time of their release with themes regarding sexuality and the reaction of society.
He never gave up making movies throughout his life and even in the time when the industry stopped filmmaking due to economic reasons.
Atif Yilmaz played an important role in the professional career of notable Turkish film directors like Halit Refig, Yilmaz Güney, Serif Gören, Zeki Ökten and Ali Özgentürk.
During the Antalya Film Festival in September 2005, he was admitted to hospital with gastro-intestinal complaints. He died on 5 May 2006 in Istanbul.- Director
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Ertem Egilmez was born on 18 February 1929 in Trabzon, Turkey. He was a director and producer, known for My Dear Brother (1973), Kalbimin Efendisi (1970) and Bir Millet Uyaniyor (1966). He died on 21 September 1989 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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Osman F. Seden was born on 22 March 1924 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Cilali Ibo: Avrupada (1970), Hindistan cevizi (1967) and Çalikusu (1966). He died on 1 September 1998 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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Zeki Ökten was born on 4 August 1941 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and assistant director, known for The Herd (1978), Faize Hücum (1982) and Düsman (1980). He was married to Güler Ökten. He died on 19 December 2009 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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Turkish film director, screenwriter, academician. Who directed movies from 1948 to 1990. In 1949, he debuted as a film director with Vurun Kahpeye ("Strike the Whore") an adaptation of Halide Edip Adivar's book of the same title. He became one of the pioneers of the period in the "Director Generation". His 1970s trilogy comprising The Bride, The Wedding and The Sacrifice, is considered his masterpiece. Afterwards, he withdrew from movie making instead directing adaptations for TV.
Akad was born on September 2, 1916. Following his secondary education at French Jeanne d'Arc School and Galatasaray High School, he studied finance at Istanbul Economy and Commerce Higher School. Beside his occupation as financial advisor at Sema Film company, he wrote articles on theatre and cinema. After directing more than 100 movies, Akad taught twenty years at the Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts.
He died on 19 November 2011 at the age of 95 in Istanbul.- Director
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- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Orhan Aksoy was born on 10 January 1930 in Mustafakemalpasa, Bursa, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Hayat mi Bu? (1973), Yumusak Ten (1994) and Kederli Günlerim (1967). He died on 22 January 2008 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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Ömer Kavur was born on 18 June 1944 in Ankara, Turkey. He was a director and producer, known for Akrebin Yolculugu (1997), Karsilasma (2003) and Motherland Hotel (1987). He was married to Hümeyra. He died on 12 May 2005 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Producer
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Nuri Bilge Ceylan is a Turkish filmmaker whose introspective and visually stunning films have garnered international acclaim. His career trajectory, marked by a shift from engineering to filmmaking, is a testament to his dedication to artistic expression and exploration of the human condition.
Ceylan's early interest in image and visual arts was nurtured during his studies at Bogaziçi University. His involvement in the photography club and exposure to cinema through film classes and screenings at the Film Society ignited his passion for filmmaking. After graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering and completing his military service, Ceylan chose to pursue his cinematic dreams, studying film at Mimar Sinan University while working as a professional photographer.
Ceylan's first foray into filmmaking was as an actor in a short film directed by his friend Mehmet Eryilmaz. He soon transitioned behind the camera, directing his debut short film, "Koza" (1995), which made history as the first Turkish short film selected for competition at the Cannes Film Festival. This early success set the stage for his "provincial trilogy": "Kasaba" (1997), "Mayis Sikintisi" (1999), and "Uzak" (2002). In these films, Ceylan took on multiple roles, showcasing his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to craft deeply personal and evocative stories. "Uzak" (2002) won the Grand Prix and Best Actor awards at Cannes, catapulting Ceylan to international recognition.
Ceylan's subsequent films continued to explore the complexities of human relationships and the nuances of emotional landscapes. "Iklimler" (2006) won the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes, while "Uç Maymun" (2008) earned him the Best Director award. His masterpiece "Bir Zamanlar Anadolu'da" (2011) won the Grand Prix at Cannes, solidifying his reputation as a filmmaker of exceptional talent. "Kis Uykusu" (2014), his seventh feature film, garnered the Palme d'Or and the FIPRESCI prize at Cannes, further cementing his position as a leading figure in world cinema.
In recent years, Ceylan has continued to challenge himself with ambitious projects. His 2023 film "Kuru Otlar Ustüne" ("About Dry Grasses") is a visually stunning and emotionally charged drama that explores themes of isolation, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in life. The film was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Best Actress award for Merve Dizdar.
Nuri Bilge Ceylan's films are characterized by their slow pace, meticulous attention to detail, and exploration of complex emotional states. His visual style, often inspired by his background in photography, creates a sense of atmosphere and mood that draws viewers into the world of his characters. Ceylan's unflinching portrayal of human relationships, combined with his poetic visual language, have earned him a dedicated following and a place among the most respected filmmakers of our time.- Director
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Born in 1929, Metin Erksan is one of the first Turkish filmmakers who saw cinema as an art form apart from a mass entertaining medium. Having studied art history in Istanbul University and being the brother of a little known director named Cetin Karamanbey, Erksan found himself at a very early age in a favourable position to combine film practice with aesthetic concerns. He worked as his elder brother's assistant for a short while and made his first debut with the script of "Binnaz" (1950) shot for Atlas Film Production Company. As many other filmmakers of the era who took the seventh art seriously, Erksan worked as a columnist in papers and film periodicals before engaging in active filmmaking. Metin Erksan's first film as a director that also heralded the unique and controversial place he would later occupy in the history of Turkish cinema was 'Asik Veysel' in "Hayati" (1952). Telling the dramatic life of the famous blind poet and song writer Asik Veysel, the film was later prohibited by the censure committe for showing the Turkish land as "infertile". With the advent of the social realist movement following the 1960 Coup d'Etat in Turkey, Erksan established himself as the "enfant prodige" of the post 60 era. Among the best films made during this period (including the Golden Bear Awarded Susuz Yaz (Dry Summer)) Erksan's work occupy a central place. His films are the fruits of an eclectic mixture of modernist themes (i.e. individual loneliness), metaphysics (the fight of good vs evil), and notions of Marxism. As other "engagé" directors of the era who did not only saw them as artists but also as "social engineers", Erksan played a major role in the foundation of the Union of Turkish Film Workers and the Association of Turkish Filmmakers. He was also Turkish Labour Party's candidate of Istanbul in the General Elections of 1965. But it is important to stress that Erksan's films are primarily praised for their aesthetic maturity which coexisted (until 1965) with a firm social commitment. Like other filmmakers who had to work within the narrow confines of the Turkish film industry, Erksan also shot commercial films to survive within the liberal minded Pine Tree (Yesilcam) system. After 1965, he gradually abandoned his social outlook and made either market oriented popular films or violent personal phantasies focusing on themes of loneliness and obsessive love. After shooting short films and serials for the Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) in the 70s, Erksan completely gave up filmmaking after 1983. He started to teach at Istanbul Mimar Sinan University and is still working there, mostly isolated from the current discussions on modern Turkish cinema.- Director
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Ülkü Erakalin was born on 9 July 1934 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Ölmüs Bir Kadinin Mektuplari (1969), Üvey Ana (1971) and Ben Sana Mecburum (1976). He died on 6 April 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Producer
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Turkish football player, film director, actor, editor, screenwriter, producer, lecturer and Honorary Professor.
He graduated from Vefa Lisesi in 1937. In 1938, he dropped out of Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in the third year of his education.
Ün changed the language of cinema by going beyond the melodrama mould with the film Üc Arkadas in 1958. The film was considered one of the best films of Turkish cinema. Thanks to his success in this film, he was invited to the Film Friends Association and became one of the important directors of Turkish cinema. During this period, he started to live with Fatma Girik and the couple's relationship continued for life.
In 1960, he started the era of child stars in Turkish cinema history with the film Aysecik. After his success with Aysecik, his partnership with Arsavir Alyanak at Yakut Film ended and he founded Ugur Film.
In 1990, he made his first self-financed film, Tüm Kapilar Kapaliydi, in which he turned to a subject and cinematography not seen in his previous films. This was followed by the films Gün Ortasinda Karanlik and Zikkimin Kökü, which received many awards. The last film he directed was Sinema Bir Mucizedir (2005), but due to his illness he could not complete the film and handed it over to Tunc Basaran.
He worked as a lecturer at Mimar Sinan University Cinema-TV Department.
Film worker Memduh Ün died on 16 October 2015 at the age of 95 in Bodrum where he was being treated.- Director
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Kartal Tibet was born on 27 March 1939 in Ankara, Turkey. He was a director and actor, known for Sabaniye (1984), Tarkan (1969) and Turks in Space (2006). He died on 1 July 2021 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Halit Refig, Turkish filmmaker, film critic and theoretician and an intellectual was born in Izmir, Turkey in 1934 to an industrial family. He attended Sisli Terakki High School and briefly attended Robert College Engineering Dept. During his military service he started making documentaries in Japan, Korea and Sri Lanka with a Super 8 camera. In 1957 he started the Turkish Film Review (Sinema Dergisi) with fellow film critic Nijat Ozon. Later he assisted director Atif Yilmaz in two films. In 1961 he directed his first feature, Yasak ask (1961). His approach to filmmaking was influenced by his friendship with the famous Turkish novelist Kemal Tahir. This collaboration gave fruit to Four Women in the Harem, which Refig scripted and later production of Yorgun Savasci (1979) in 1979, the most controversial film ever made in Turkish film history. Refig defended it and published a theory of national cinema, which he named Ulusal Sinema (national cinema). Later he revised his theory and called his work ATUT (Asiatic Mode of Production) cinema or Halk Sinemasi (Cinema of the People). Refig collected his articles on national cinema in a volume; Ulusal Sinema Kavgasi (Fight for a national Cinema). Refig and his fellow filmmakers like Metin Erksan and Lütfi Ö. Akad made nationalist films until late 1960s. In 1974, the newly established Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) commissioned Refig to make a literary adaptation of a Turkish novel of his choice. The result was _Ask-i memnu (1974) (TV)_ (Forbidden Love) which was hailed as the first Turkish TV mini series. In 1975 Refig joined fellow filmmakers to establish the Turkish Cinema and TV Institute. In 1977 he was invited to teach at University of Wisconsin where he made a Victorian period drama, Intercessors. In 1979 he was invited once again by the TRT to make Yorgun Savasci (Tired Warrior) Kemal Tahir's controversial novel. Described as the ultimate national cinema piece, the production and later on burning of the negatives by the military government in 1982 of Tired Warrior. The film was later aired in 1992 from a restored 1 inch tape. After this Refig made popular films for Turker Inanoglu. This gave Refig the opportunity to realize his smaller and more personal projects like Hanim (Madame). After nearly a decade Refig made Köpekler Adasi (1997) (Island of Dogs). The film received mixed reviews. As a filmmaker he made over 50 popular and personal films in Turkish film industry since 1961. As a film critic and theoretician he produced a significant body of film criticism and literally created a theory of national cinema, one that predates the theories of third cinema initiated in Latin American and African countries. Finally, as an intellectual he practiced what he preached. Refig focused on national and cultural identity in the young Turkish Republic, critiquing the westernization and nationalist ideologies in Turkey and favoring the traditional values and the Ottoman past. Refig deconstructed the Republican Kemalist ideology and the position of the Kemalist intellectual in Turkish society, discussed east-west and rural-urban tension in a rapidly changing social environment and the position of women in defining the new Turkish national identity. His work is also influenced by the psychoanalytical work of Freud and Jung's idea of collective consciousness. Refig likes applying a dialectical intellectual montage and German expressionist framing. Since 1975 Refig has taught at the Cinema and TV Institute of Mimar Sinan University, Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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Nejat Saydam was born in 1929 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Dinmeyen Sizi (1972), Ask Hikayesi (1971) and Mahpus (1973). He died on 25 October 2000 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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Tunç Basaran was born on 1 October 1938 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Don't Let Them Shoot the Kite (1989), Sen de Gitme (1995) and Biri ve Digerleri (1988). He was married to Füsun Önal. He died on 18 December 2019 in Turkey.- Director
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Serif Gören was born on 14 October 1944 in Ksanthi, Greece. He is a director and editor, known for The Road (1982), Endise (1974) and Derman (1983).- Director
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Born in 1964 in Famagusta, North Cyprus, Dervish Zaim graduated from Warwick University. He took a course in independent film production, organized in London by the Hollywood Film Institute. In 1995 his first novel won the prestigious "Yunus Nadi" literary prize in Turkey. Tabutta Rövasata (Somersault in a Coffin) is his debut as director and screenwriter.- Writer
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Yavuz Turgul was born in Istanbul, 1946. He worked as journalist for many years. In 1976 he started to write scripts with the support of Ertem Egilmez. His first directing experience came with the movie Fahriye Abla, in 1984. He worked with famous Turkish actor Sener Sen in so many movies. Turgul is one of the best directors in Turkey and he is still working on new movie projects.- Director
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Süreyya Duru was born in 1930 in Samsun, Turkey. He was a director and producer, known for Kara Çarsafli Gelin (1975), Bedrana (1974) and Derya Gülü (1979). He died on 21 February 1988 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Writer
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Yavuz Özkan was a Turkish film director, screenwriter, and producer who was active in the Turkish film industry from the 1970s to the 2000s. He is best known for his films that deal with social and political issues, and for his collaborations with some of the leading actors of Turkish cinema.
Özkan began his career as an assistant director on several films in the early 1970s. He made his directorial debut in 1975 with the film "Anayurt Oteli" (The Hotel Anatolia), which was a critical and commercial success. The film won several awards at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, including the award for Best Film.
Özkan went on to direct a number of successful films, including "Nehir" (The River, 1977), "Yol" (The Road, 1982), and "Hakkari'de Bir Mevsim" (A Season in Hakkari, 1983). These films are known for their realistic portrayal of Turkish society and for their strong political messages.
Özkan was also a prolific screenwriter. He wrote the screenplays for many of his own films, as well as for films directed by other directors. He was a member of the Writers' Union of Turkey and was awarded the union's Grand Prize for his screenplay for the film "Yol".
Özkan was a leading figure in Turkish cinema for over three decades. His films were widely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, and he won numerous awards for his work. He was a committed and passionate filmmaker who used his films to explore important social and political issues.
In addition to his work in film, Özkan was also active in theater and television. He directed several plays and television series, and he was a member of the board of directors of the Istanbul State Theater.
Özkan passed away in 2019 at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife and two children. His legacy lives on through his films, which continue to be screened and studied by film lovers around the world.- Director
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Semih Evin was born on 3 May 1920 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was a director and writer, known for Aksam yildizi (1967), Korkusuzlar (1965) and Amansiz Takip (1967). He was married to Gülgün Ok. He died on 3 June 1987 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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Aram Gülyüz was born on 13 April 1931 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and producer, known for Sensiz yillar (1961), Kolla kendini bebek (1965) and Genç kizlarin sevgilisi (1963). He died on 1 September 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Producer
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Turkish director Sinan Cetin founded Plato Films in 1986. Since then he has shot 11 feature films and has become one of the most famous and successful directors in Turkey. He has also directed and produced hundreds of commercials. Plato Film Prod. is now a creative pool for young people enamored of scriptwriting, directing, or post-production and allows a unique independence most film-makers only dream of.- Actor
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While studying at the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management of Bogazici University, he started drawing comics for the Turkish humor magazine Leman. In August 1995 he did his first stand-up comedy show in "Leman Culture Center" performing with no serious career intentions as a comedian. However, after the positive response of the audience, he continued his show to attract larger crowds in Besiktas Cultural Center where he has appeared in over a thousand stand-up comedy shows since, becoming so popular that tickets have sold for 250TL (approx. US$140).
His movie career started in 1998 with a co-starring role in the comedy Her Sey Çok Güzel Olacak (1998), directed by Ömer Vargi, and continued with a role in Vizontele (2001), directed by Yilmaz Erdogan and Ömer Faruk Sorak. He achieved his greatest success by starring in and writing big-budget science-fiction parody G.O.R.A. (2004), also directed by Ömer Faruk Sorak, which despite spending several years in production because of financial and other technical problems became a box-office hit and described by Rekin Teksoy as a strong sign that showed that popular cinema was successful in appealing to wide audiences. He maintained this success with a starring role in the comedy feature movie Magic Carpet Ride (2005) AKA 'Magic Carpet Ride', also directed by Yilmaz Erdogan, for which he won Best Supporting Actor at the 11th Sadri Alisik Awards, and his directorial debut with The Magician (2006), co-directed by Ali Taner Baltaci, for which he won Best Actor at the 34th Brussels International Independent Film Festival and 12th Sadri Alisik Awards. He has since repeated his box office success with a sequel to G.O.R.A. (2004) called A.R.O.G (2008), also co-directed by Ali Taner Baltaci, and comedy Western parody called Yahsi Bati (2009), directed by Ömer Faruk Sorak. That same year, he co-starred, alongside veteran actor Sener Sen, in the police drama Hunting Season (2010), written and directed by Yavuz Turgul, and made a special appearance in drama Zefir (2010), written and directed by Belma Bas. After two years he also acted in Ferzan Özpetek's A Magnificent Haunting (2012). After he filmed his last stand-up comedy show CM101MMXI Fundamentals (2013) directed by Murat Dündar, he announced that for the next few years he will stop his stand-up comedy shows to have a rest.
Along his professional career, he has won numerous awards and appeared in more than 4000 stand-up comedy shows, took part in 10 movies and contributed as a dubbing performer in 4 movies.- Director
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Natuk Baytan was born on 5 July 1925 in Manisa, Turkey. He was a director and actor, known for Zaloglu Rüstem (1973), Ölüme Kosanlar (1973) and Namluda üç kursun (1969). He died in November 1986 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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Sirri Gültekin was born on 27 July 1924 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and producer, known for Dalgaci Mahmut (1976), Tophaneli Ahmet: Bir Ask Hikayesi (1971) and Üç sevdali kiz (1968). He died on 7 February 2008 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
He is a Turkish-Italian director, screenwriter and writer. In 1976, he first went to Perugia Foreigners University in Italy, learned Italian for a year, and then transferred to Rome La Sapienza University to study cinema. After completing his education there, he went to Accademia Navona and Accademia d'Arte Dramatica schools to study art history, costume and theater direction and took lessons from Silvio D'Amico. During this period, he worked with Julien Beck in various positions on the European tour of The Living Teather. In 1982, he was assistant director to Massimo Troisi in the film Scusate il Ritardo, and later to Maurizio Ponzi in the film Son Contento. Ferzan Özpetek worked as an assistant director for nearly 15 years with different directors such as Ricky Tognazzi, Lamberto Bava, Francesco Nuti, Sergio Citti, Giovanni Veronesi and Marco Risi.
American singer Madonna stated that Ferzan Özpetek was "a genius" in an interview with a television program. Özpetek received congratulations from names such as John Travolta and Andy Garcia after the screening of his 2009 film, Serseri Mayinlar, at the opening of the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Ferzan Özpetek served as the jury president of the committee consisting of actors Hülya Kocyigit, Zuhal Olcay, Aytac Arman, Kenan Isik and director Nuri Bilge Ceylan at the 42nd Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival held in 2005.
In 2007, he was a jury member at the 75th Venice Film Festival.- Director
Mehmet Dinler was born on 24 January 1928 in Adana, Turkey. He was a director, known for Suçlu (1972), Lekeli Melek (1969) and Takip (1972). He died on 16 July 2021 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Producer
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Muzaffer Aslan was born on 2 March 1921 in Smyrna, Ottoman Empire [now Izmir, Turkey]. He was a producer and director, known for Ankara Ekspresi (1970), Anasi gibi (1957) and Agliyorum (1973). He was married to Fatma Andaç. He died in 1992 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Actor
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Orhan Erçin was born on 5 March 1926 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was an actor and writer, known for Uçan daireler Istanbulda (1955), Findikçi gelin (1954) and Çeto: Salak Milyoner (1953). He died in August 1993 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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Serdar Akar was born in 1964 in Ankara, Turkey. He is a director and writer, known for On Board (1998), Dar Alanda Kisa Paslasmalar (2000) and At the Bar (2007).- Director
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Aydin Arakon was born on 22 May 1918 in Adrianople, Ottoman Empire [now Edirne, Turkey]. He was a director and writer, known for Fosforlu Cevriye (1959), Kitipiyoza tuzak (1959) and Scream (1949). He died on 11 August 1982 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
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Muhsin Ertugrul also known as Ertugrul Muhsin Bey, was a Turkish actor and director.
Muhsin Ertugrul, who had important contributions to both Turkish theatre and Turkish cinema, was born in Istanbul on 28 February 1892. His first performance in theatre was in 1909 with the role of "Bob" in Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. He ran the Darülbedayi Theatre in Istanbul from its opening in 1914.
He married in 1929 Neyyire Neyir (née Münire Eyüp), one of the first ever Turkish actresses, who debuted in the 1923 movie Atesten Gömlek, directed by himself. The marriage lasted until Neyyire's death in 1943. Ertugrul then married Handan Uran (born 1927) in 1950. A stage actress, she starred in her only movie, the 1953 Halici Kiz, once again directed by Ertugrul himself. She survived her husband's death in 1979.
During his stay in Izmir following the honorary doctor ceremony, Ertugrul died of a heart attack at the age of 87 on 29 April 1979. He was buried in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery in Istanbul.
Muhsin Ertugrul was bestowed the title Honorary Doctor by Ege University on 23 April 1979 in recognition for his contribution to the theatre and cinema of Turkey.
Three theaters in Turkey are named in his honor: the Harbiye Muhsin Ertugrul Stage and Bahcesehir Muhsin Ertugrul Theatre in Istanbul and the Muhsin Ertugrul Stage in Ankara.- Director
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He was born in Bursa in 1931. He left his secondary education and started to do sports and became a national basketball player. He started editing for the cinema next to Orhan Atadeniz. He continued in this business for 10 years and increased his technical knowledge to edit many films. In the 1950s, he became an assistant to Orhan M. Ariburnu and later to Atif Yilmaz, Abdurrahman Palay and Memduh Ün. He worked as assistant director for important films of the period such as "Surgun (Exile)", "Lejyon Dönüsü (Legion Return)", "Üç Arkadas (Three Friends)" and "Atesten Damla (Fire Drop)". Memduh Ün joined a field of study. He started directing in 1960 with the movie "Kanli Sevda". He made his debut with "Otobüs Yolculari (Bus Passengers)". In 1964, he shot three films "Karanlikta Uyananlar (Awakening in the Dark)". Written by Vedat Türkali, the film was about the "awareness" and "struggle" of the workers working in a paint factory. Turkish cinema is considered to be the first film to deal with laborers. He made social realistic films from the 60s. In the face of the crisis economy of the 1980s, it has been criticized for using cheap ordinary movies. In 1987, he shot the TV series "Önce Canan". Continuing to make films until the 1980s, Ertem Goreç wrote most of his films himself. He passed away on March 12, 2021 due to a heart attack.- Actor
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Bay Okan was born on 18 August 1942 in Istanbul, Turkey. He is an actor and director, known for The Yellow Mercedes (1992), The Bus (1975) and Umut Üzümleri (2013).- Director
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Temel Gürsu was born on 31 January 1945 in Trabzon, Turkey. He is a director and assistant director, known for Yasadikça (1984), Ahu Gözlüm (1990) and Temas (1987).- Producer
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Türker Inanoglu (born May 18, 1936) is a Turkish screenwriter, film director and producer.
He married first the film actress Filiz Akin, and after his divorce Gülsen Bubikoglu, another former Turkish movie star. They have two children, a son, Ilker and a daughter, Zeynep.
Inanoglu came in contact with the cinema when he was a student at the Istanbul Academy of Applied Fine Arts in 1957. After working as assistant to directors Ömer Lütfi Akat and Nisan Hançer in eleven movies, he directed in 1960 his first feature Senden Ayri Yasayamam.
After directing nine movies in the studios of Yesilçam, the Turkish Hollywood, Inanoglu established in 1959 his own film company Erler Film, which is today the oldest film production company in Turkey still in business. Since then, he produced 126 black-and-white and color films, among them 21 co-productions with Greece, Italy and Iran. He executed also the productions of American, Japanese, French and German filmmakers' documentary films shot in Turkey. Until now, he directed 82 movies.
In 1979, Inanoglu started the video business in Turkey by founding the first video company, Ulusal Video. His company distributed video copies of domestic movies to around 1,500 video clubs in Turkey and abroad. He contributed so five years long to the survival of Turkish cinema, which found itself in a big economic crisis.
To produce news and entertainment programs for the television, he established a studio in 1985. In this studio, Inanoglu produced very popular programs like Bir Baska Gece ("Another night"), Hodri Meydan ("Challenge"), Gecenin getirdikleri ("Things came by night") for the then only TV channel in Turkey, TRT. Later, following the opening of private TV channels, he continued to produce TV programs for channels like Star TV, Show TV, Kanal 6 and ATV, totaling to 10,000 hours.
In 1994, Inanoglu became president of the channel ATV and helped it became a leader in the sector. Recently, he established a cable TV channel, Süper Kanal.
He co-founded sectoral associations and served as their chairman. Recently, he is the honorary president of the Turkish Association of Owners of Cinema Arts, SESAM. In 1997, he set up the Türker Inanoglu Cinema Foundation and transferred all the copyrights on his productions to this charity institution with social and educational goals for the Turkish cinema.- Director
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O. Nuri Ergün was born on 20 March 1928 in Çayeli, Rize, Turkey. He was a director and actor, known for Fakir gencin romani (1965), Serseri (1967) and Affet sevgilim (1966). He died on 24 August 2010 in Turkey.- Director
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- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Erden Kiral was born on 10 April 1942 in Gölcük, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for On Fertile Lands (1980), The Blue Exile (1993) and Hakkari'de Bir Mevsim (1983). He was married to Tezer Özlü. He died on 17 July 2022 in Antalya, Turkey.- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Yilmaz Duru was born on 8 August 1929 in Adana, Turkey. He was an actor and director, known for Zalimler (1966), Ince Cumali (1967) and Kara Dogan (1972). He was married to Nilüfer Aydan. He died on 1 March 2010 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Güney and his work were almost entirely unknown outside of his homeland Turkey until his 1981 escape from imprisonment in Turkey and his "discovery" the following year at the Cannes Film Festival for his autobiographical screenplay for The Road (1982), the festival's grand prize winner. Born in 1937 in a village near the southern city of Adana, Güney studied law and economics at the universities in Ankara and Istanbul, but by the age of 21 he found himself actively involved in filmmaking. As Yesilcam, the Turkish studio system, grew in strength, a handful of directors, including Atif Yilmaz, began to use the cinema as a means of addressing the problems of the people. Only state-sanctioned melodramas, war films and play adaptations had previously played in Turkish theaters, but these new filmmakers began to fill the screens with more artistic, personal and relevant pictures of Turkish & Kurdish life. The most popular name to emerge from the Young Turkish Cinema was that of Yilmaz Güney. Güney was a gruff-looking young actor who earned the moniker "Cirkin Kral," or "the Ugly King." After apprenticing as a screenwriter for and assistant to Atif Yilmaz, Güney soon began appearing in as many as 20 films a year and became Turkey's most popular actor. More than a screen idol, Güney was a Kurdish who believed in the Kurdish people and their way of life, as well as being personally committed to social change. Although the early 1960s brought some political reform to Turkey, Güney was imprisoned in 1961 for 18 months for publishing a "communist" novel. The country's political situation and Güney's relationship with the authorities only became more tense in the ensuing years. Not content with his star status atop the Turkish film industry, Güney began directing his own pictures in 1965 and, by 1968, had formed his own production company, Güney Filmcilik. Over the next few years, the titles of his films mirrored the feelings of the Kurdish people: Hope (1970); Agit (1972); _Acý (1971)_; Umutsuzlar (1971). After 1972, however, Güney would spend most of his life in prison. Arrested for harboring anarchist students, Güney was jailed during preproduction on Zavallilar (1975) (completed in 1975), and before completing Endise (1974), which was finished in 1974 by Güney's assistant, Serif Gören. This was a cherished role that Gören would repeat over the next dozen years, directing several scripts that Güney wrote laboriously while behind bars. Released from prison in 1974 as part of a general amnesty, Güney was re-arrested that same year for shooting a judge. During this stretch of incarceration, his most successful screenplays were The Herd (1978) and Düsman (1980), both directed by Zeki Ökten. After escaping from prison in 1981 and fleeing to France, Güney was greeted at the Cannes Film Festival with a Palme d'Or for The Road (1982), again directed by Gören. It was not until 1983 that Güney resumed directing, telling a brutal tale of imprisoned children in his final film, The Wall (1983), made in France with the cooperation of the French government. At that point, Güney's name was unspeakable in his homeland; eleven of the films he directed or appeared in were confiscated and reportedly burned to ashes; even so much as writing about Güney was forbidden. Despite the great international success of Yol and Duvar, Güney was ultimately a Kurdish director for the Kurdish people; his final separation from his home audience must have been even more painful to endure than his years of imprisonment.- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Nevzat Pesen was born on 20 October 1924 in Izmir, Turkey. She was a producer and director, known for Iki Günahsiz Kiz (1969), Kötü Tohum (1963) and Aysegül (1971). She died on 10 February 1973 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Turgut Demirag was born on 13 December 1921 in Sivas, Ottoman Empire [now Turkey]. He was a producer and director, known for Ask ve Kin (1964), Ayri dünyalar (1969) and Bir Dag Masali (1967). He was married to Rüçhan Çamay. He died on 14 January 1987 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Hulki Saner was born on 14 February 1923 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was a producer and director, known for Gülizar (1972), Ilk ask (1960) and Benzincinin aski (1959). He died on 20 July 2005 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Faruk Kenç was born on 31 January 1910 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was a director and writer, known for Köroglu-Türkan Sultan (1953), Kanli çiftlik (1953) and Çölde bir Istanbul kizi (1957). He was married to Belgin Doruk. He died on 11 May 2000 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Orhan Elmas was born on 20 January 1927 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Ezo Gelin (1968), Öleceksek Ölelim (1970) and Disi eskiya (1969). He was married to Alev Koral. He died on 26 April 2002 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Arsevir Alyanak was born on 27 September 1907 in Adapazari, Ottoman Empire [now Sakarya, Turkey]. He was a director and writer, known for Yaban kiz (1954), Sokak çocugu (1958) and Kara bahtim (1957). He died on 1 May 1981 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Yücel Uçanoglu was born on 11 September 1934 in Eskisehir, Turkey. He is a director and writer, known for Yasamak hakkimdir (1969), Son Söz Benim (1970) and Kara öfke (1968).- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Ugur Yücel is a Turkish film actor, producer and director. He graduated from the Theater Department of the Istanbul Municipality Conservatory (Istanbul Belediye Konservatuari Tiyatro Bölüm). He took part in several plays between 1975 and 1984 in Kenter Tiyatrosu (Kenter Theatre), Tef Kabare Theatre, Dormen Theatre, and San Müzikholü. He was noticed for his roles in Selamsiz Bandosu (1987) and Muhsin Bey (1987), then gained mainstream success when he took part in Eskiya (1996).- Writer
- Director
- Actor
Basar Sabuncu was born on 9 September 1943 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a writer and director, known for Asilacak Kadin (1986), Yolcu (1993) and Adak (1980). He died on 17 June 2015 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Sami Ayanoglu was born on 21 April 1913 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor and director, known for Yavuz Sultan Selim agliyor (1952), Battal Gazi Geliyor (1955) and Dört deli bir aptal (1965). He died on 7 November 1971 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Ferhan Sensoy was born on 26 February 1951 in Çarsamba, Samsun, Turkey. He was an actor and writer, known for Kösedönücü (1985), Su an mutfaktayim: Tek kisilik güldürü (2001) and 40AMbar (1994). He was married to Elif Durdu and Derya Baykal. He died on 31 August 2021 in Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Writer
- Production Designer
Çagan Irmak is a Turkish film and television writer and director, who has managed to attract a large audience in Turkey and is best known for the TV series Çemberimde Gül Oya (2004-2005) and Asmali Konak (2002-2004), and for the hit films Alone (2008) and My Father and My Son (2005), for which he received Turkish Cinema Writers Association Awards for Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Director.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Ezel Akay was born in 1961. He studied engineering at Bosphorus University, and theatre arts at Villanova University. He took part in many theatre productions as an actor and director before entering film production as a founding partner of IFR, where he was the director of more than 900 commercials. In 1996, he produced Dervis Zaim's feature film debut, "Somersault in a Coffin." The film won the highest number of international awards ever received by a Turkish film. Following this film, he was the executive producer of Yesim Ustaoglu's "Journey to the Sun", which also won many awards at international festivals including the prestigious Berlin Film Festival.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Muharrem Gürses was born on 22 August 1913 in Amasya, Ottoman Empire [now Turkey]. He was an actor and writer, known for Malazgirt kahramani Alpaslan (1967), Bizansi titreten yigit (1967) and Zaloglu Rüstem (1966). He died on 7 April 1999 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Zeki Demirkubuz is a Turkish filmmaker known for his unflinching and uncompromising approach to cinema. His films often delve into the dark recesses of the human psyche, exploring themes of guilt, morality, and the complexities of relationships. Demirkubuz's personal experiences, including a tumultuous youth marked by political activism and imprisonment, have undoubtedly influenced his artistic vision.
After dropping out of high school, Demirkubuz worked in a textile workshop and as a street vendor. Following the 1980 coup d'état in Turkey, he was unjustly imprisoned without trial for three years, enduring torture due to alleged communist activities. Despite this traumatic experience, he persevered, graduating with a degree in Communications Engineering from Istanbul University.
His passion for filmmaking led him to work as an assistant director before founding his own production company, Mavi Film. Demirkubuz's fiercely independent nature is reflected in his work, where he maintains creative control over nearly every aspect of his films. This uncompromising spirit allows him to create a unique cinematic language that often challenges conventional storytelling.
Demirkubuz's filmography is characterized by a bleak realism and a focus on the psychological struggles of his characters. His debut film, "C Blok" (1994), laid the groundwork for his signature style, while "Masumiyet" (1997) and "Üçüncü Sayfa" (1999) garnered international recognition at prestigious film festivals. His "Mental Minefields: The Dark Tales" trilogy, consisting of "Yazgi" (2001) and "Itiraf" (2001), Bekleme Odasi (2003) further solidified his reputation as a filmmaker who confronts difficult subjects with unflinching honesty.
His film "Kader" (2006) won the Best Film prize at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, a testament to his ability to create emotionally resonant and thought-provoking works. In more recent years, Demirkubuz continued to explore existential themes in films like "Yeralti" (2012) and "Bulanti" (2015). His latest film, "Hayat" (2023), is a raw and unflinching portrayal of life in a Turkish prison, drawing upon his own experiences of incarceration.
Zeki Demirkubuz remains a vital figure in Turkish cinema, a director who fearlessly tackles complex and often disturbing subjects with a distinct artistic vision. His uncompromising approach and willingness to explore the darker aspects of the human condition have earned him both critical acclaim and a dedicated following.- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Mesut Uçakan was born in 1953 in Kirikkale, Turkey. He is a producer and director, known for Reis Bey (1990), Sonsuza Yürümek (1991) and Anne ya da Leyla (2006).- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Mehmet Aslan was born on 15 January 1931 in Izmir, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Marmara Hasan (1968), Hakanlarin savasi (1968) and Karaoglan Geliyor (1972). He died on 1 September 1987 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Writer
- Editor
Yilmaz Atadeniz was born in Arnavutköy in Istanbul in 1932. He studied engineering at Robert College, but left the school and started working in the Cinema and film business as an assistant editor with his brother Orhan Atadeniz. Later, Yilmaz became an assistant director of famous director such as Faruk Kenç, Atif Yilmaz, Nejat Saydam, and Sirri Gültekin. Atadeniz shot his first film "Yüz Karasi" in 1963. He founded the Atadeniz Film in 1967, and began working as a producer. He has shot more than 100 films and documentaries and TV series, and became one of the famous adventure film directors. Atadeniz is a founder member of Sinekamder. He has served as the Secondary Chairman of Film Producers Association since 1988. Currently, Atadeniz continues to work as the president in the Sesam Cinema Products Institution. Reference: yilmazatadeniz-bio-filmo.blogspot.com, sinematurk.com, imdb.com, sinemalar.com, google.com.tr/images- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Ergin Orbey, is a Turkish, film and theatre actor and director born in Istanbul, Turkey. After high school, he was educated as a theatre actor at the Istanbul University State Conservatory and worked for the Ankara State Conservatory from 1955 and onward. Orbey is acclaimed for his short-tempered characters who find themselves in frustrating situations by the main characters. He is famous mainly for supporting roles in Yesilcam Cinema in Turkey, such as Tosun Pasa (1976), The Chaos Class Is Waking Up (1976), and Süt Kardesler (1976). He also directed popular Yesilcam films like: Our Family (1975), Delisin (1975), and Yasar Ne Yasar Ne Yasamaz (1975).- Actor
- Production Designer
- Director
Ali Atay is a Turkish actor, musician, filmmaker and writer who graduated from Mimar Sinan Theatre Conservatory in 1999. He is well known with his role as Mecnun on television series "Leyla ile Mecnun". In 2013 he has acted in the movie "Sen Aydinlatirsin Geceyi" which written and directed by Onur Ünlü. In 2014, he wrote and directed his very first movie called "Limonata". In 2018, he wrote and directed his second movie "Ölümlü Dünya". He also starred in 2017 blockbuster "Ayla: The Daughter of War". In 2018 he acted in movie "Türk Isi Dondurma". In 2019 he won the Best Actor Award for his role at "Noah Land" at Tribeca Festival.- Director
- Writer
- Cinematographer
Nesli Çölgeçen was born in 1955 in Manisa, Turkey. He is a director and writer, known for The Broken Landlord (1985), Denizden Gelen (2010) and Kardesim Benim (1983).- Writer
- Director
- Producer
Safa Önal was born on 17 December 1930 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a writer and director, known for Menekse Gözler (1969), Hicran Sokagi (2007) and Cingöz Recai (1969). He died on 30 July 2023.- Director
- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Erdogan Tokatli was born in 1940 in Denizli, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Firtina Kemal (1972), Biz Belayi Severiz (1972) and Rumuz Sev Beni (1993). He died on 5 June 2010 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Oksal Pekmezoglu was born in 1938 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Askim ve Günahim (1963), Üç Kardestiler (1981) and Küçük Eller (1983). He was married to Ayla Kaya. He died on 6 January 2004 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Nuri Akinci was born on 24 September 1924 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and producer, known for Sevdali efe (1961), Kara Maske (1975) and Esrarli kadin (1959). He died in April 1977 in Ayvalik, Balikesir, Turkey.- Director
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- Producer
He was born in Ankara in 1941. He studied Turkish Law. He made his first movie in 1967. In 1971 he made a movie called Ceko (Turkish western). It was a hit in Anatolia. He made a lot of Turkish erotic movies as "Ah ne adem dilli badem". After erotic movies he decided to make action movies. He made a lot of low budget movies as "Vahsi Kan, The man who saves the world". He tried also to make a social movie called "Bizim Mahalle". But it was a not a succes for him. He is still one of the best turkish cult movie director. After the end of his cinema carier he directed tv productions as "Cilgin Bedis" in Turkey. He is still directing tv productions in Turkey. He is famous because of his unforgettable Turkish cult movie called "The man who saves the world" with Cuney Arkin. His movies are still available at Turkish videstores in Germany, but not anymore in Turkey (it was never available in Turkey, because his movies released in small cinemas).- Director
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- Actor
Yavuz Figenli was born on 1 November 1936 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Günahini Ödeyen Kadin (1969). He died on 16 July 2022 in Yalova, Turkey.- Director
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- Producer
Born in 1958. His childhood house overlooked a projection room, owned by the Board of Censors, where the members of the board were cutting the films. As the cutter threw away film pieces out of the window, Altioklar and his friends were eagerly waiting for them outside the window of the projection room. That was his first meeting with the art of light and images. In 1977, he started his medical education in Faculty of Medicine of Hacettepe University and became a qualified specialist of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in 1991. Mustafa Altioklar began his film career by shooting short films in 1989. After shooting five short films one after another in three years and winning many awards consecutively, he began shooting his feature films. By winning the award of "The Best New Coming Director" with his first feature film, Balcony, at Ankara Film Festival in 1992, Altioklar drew the attention of Turkish film industry to his work. With his second feature film, Istanbul Under My Wings (1995), he also brought an unexpected vivacity to the Turkish Cinema whose film production had decreased dramatically and whose number of viewers had neared to nothing during the past 20 years. After this contribution, which is now called the rebirth of Turkish Cinema's reconciliation with its audience; Altioklar carried on his road and proved the permanence of his success by shooting Kolera Street (1997). Altioklar's usage of locations as actors in his films has become a characteristic of his work. This trade mark became especially distinctive in his fourth feature The Elevator (1999), and his fifth, The Bathroom (2005). While his direction of an ensemble cast and parallel fiction was recognized as astonishing in He is in the Army now (2002), his last film Shattered Soul (2005) has taken its well-earned place in Turkish Cinema History as being the first psychological thriller ever, and was awarded with a "Bronze Gryphone" at 2006 in International St. Petersburg Film Festival. Altioklar has written all the scripts of his short and feature films.- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Melih Gülgen was born on 31 December 1946 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and producer, known for Bomba (1987), Bedel (1983) and Firat (1979). He died on 21 February 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Producer
- Production Designer
Yagmur Taylan was born in 1966 in Bursa, Turkey. He is a director and producer, known for Vavien (2009), Wounded Love (2016) and The Magnificent Century (2011).- Director
- Producer
- Production Designer
Durul Taylan was born in 1969 in Bursa, Turkey. He is a director and producer, known for Vavien (2009), Wounded Love (2016) and The Magnificent Century (2011).- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Orhon Murat Ariburnu was born on 12 December 1920 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor and director, known for Sihirli boru (1955), Anter Kara Ali (1977) and Yüzbasi Tahsin (1950). He was married to Nedret Güvenç. He died on 11 April 1989 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Zeki Alasya (18 April 1943 - 8 May 2015) was a Turkish actor and film director. Alasya was of Turkish Cypriot descent and was related to Kibrisli Mehmed Kamil Pasha.
Alasya was born in Istanbul. After studying at Robert College, he joined MTTB Theatre as an amateur actor. For a short time, he worked at Arena, Gen-Ar and Ulvi Uraz Theatre. With some friends, he founded the Devekusu Kabare Theatre (Ostrich Cabaret Theatre).
From 1973, he started acting in films and gained fame as a comedian paired with Metin Akpinar like Salak Milyoner, Bes Milyoncuk Borç Verir misin, Köyden Indim Sehire, Güler misin Aglar misin, Nerden Çikti Bu Velet, Nereye Bakiyor Bu Adamlar, Hasip ile Nasip and Güle Güle. In 1977, he also took up directing and went on to direct films such as Aslan Bacanak, Sivri Akillilar, Caferin Çilesi, Petrol Krallari, Doktor, Köse Kapmaca, Vay Basimiza Gelenler and Elveda Dostum.
Alasya died on 8 May 2015 in the hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for liver disease. He was 72. He was laid to rest in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery following the religious funeral service held at Levent Mosque.- Actor
- Director
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Haldun Dormen was born on 5 April 1928 in Mersin, Turkey. He is an actor and director, known for Bozuk düzen (1966), Güzel Bir Gün Için (1965) and Felekten Bir Gün (1987).- Director
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- Editor
Born in Istanbul, Reha Erdem began his studies in History at Bogazici University in Istanbul. He graduated from Cinema Department of Paris 8 University. He obtained his M.A. in Plastic Arts at the same university. He shot his first feature-length film Oh Moon in 1989 as a French-Turkish co-production. He shot Run for Money in 1999, Mommy, I'm Scared in 2004, Times and Winds in 2006, My Only Sunshine, Turkish-Greek-Bulgarian co-production, in 2008 and Kosmos in 2009. His latest two films are Jîn (2012) and Singing Women (2013), Turkish-French-German co-production. He wrote all of his films except for Mommy I'm scared, for which he was one of the co-writers. He also has short films and directed a theater play, Maids (Les Bonnes) by Jean Genet. He is now working on two new projects.- Director
- Actor
- Producer
Yüksel Aksu was born in 1966 in Mugla, Turkey. He is a director and actor, known for Dondurmam Gaymak (2006), Entelköy Efeköy'e Karsi (2011) and 61 Days (2016).- Director
- Writer
- Producer
After making several award - winning shorts in Turkey, Yesim Ustaoglu made her feature film debut with 1994's 'The Trace' (Iz). The film was presented at numerous international festivals, including Moscow and Gotenburg and won the Best Film Award at Istanbul Film Festival. Yesim Ustaoglu received international recognition for her 1999 film, 'Journey To The Sun' (Günese Yolculuk) which competed in Berlinale and received the Blue Angel Award (Best European Film) and the Peace Prize before sweeping the Istanbul Film Festival by winning Best Film, Best Director, the FIPRESCI Prize and the Audience Award. Launching her own production company Ustaoglu Film in 2003, her third film, 'Waiting for the Clouds' (Bulutlari Beklerken) premiered in 2014 Berlinale Panorama and was awarded NHK Sundance - International Film-maker's Award. Ustaoglu's fourth feature, 'Pandora's Box' (Pandora'nin Kutusu) premiered in Toronto (TIFF) and won Golden Shell for the Best Film and Silver Shell for the Best Actress Award in San Sebastian FF. Her fifth feature 'Somewhere in Between' (Araf, 2012) premiered in Orrizonti section in 69th Venice FF, won Best Film Award in Abu Dhabi FF and Split Mediterranean FF, as well as Best Performance in Moscow, Tokyo and Pune Film Festivals. Her latest film 'Clair Obscur' (Tereddut).- Director
- Writer
Ziya Öztan was born in 1946 in Batman, Turkey. He is a director and writer, known for Abdülhamid Düserken (2003), Bugünün Saraylisi (1985) and Cahide (1989).- Director
- Cinematographer
- Writer
Mehmet Muhtar was born in 1925 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was a director and cinematographer, known for Zit kardesler polis hafiyesi (1953), Ask kurbanlari (1956) and Hasret Sarkisi (1959). He died in 1995 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Esat Özgül was born on 10 July 1920 in Sinop. Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Yörük Ali (1955), Vur patlasin çal oynasin (1952) and Kirk gün kirk gece (1953). He died on 29 October 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Remzi A. Jöntürk was born in 1936 in Erzincan, Turkey. He was a director and writer, known for Domdom Kursunu (1985), Intikam Kartallari (1971) and Isyan (1975). He was married to Müjgan. He died in September 1987.- Director
- Producer
- Actor
Nisan Hançeryan is a Turkish director and producer of Armenian descent. He was born in Ankara, Turkey. He started his artistic life with theater. He is also a painter. He worked as an assistant to Lütfi Ö. Akad in his film career. Nisan's most well known movies Kibrisin Belasi Kizil Eoka (1959), Zagor: Kara Bela (1971), Sari Öküz Parasi (1972). He died on September 4, 1997 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Semih Kaplanoglu is one of the most acclaimed writer-director-producers of contemporary filmmaking. Born and raised in Izmir, Turkey, he received BS in Cinema-Television from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dokuz Eylul University, in 1984. Kaplanoglu made his debut feature in 2001 'Away From Home', and he was awarded Best Director in Singapore IFF. He then set up his own production company Kaplan Film and started writing and directing as an independent producer, making worldwide acclaimed international co-productions. In 2005, his second feature 'Angel's Fall' had World Premiere in Berlinale Forum and received Best Film Awards in Nantes, Kerala and Barcelona Alternativa FF. His third feature 'Egg', which premiered in 2007 at Cannes FF Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, brought Best Director awards in Fajr IFF, Valdivia IFF and Bangkok World FF. The film received around 30 awards including important national awards such as the Golden Orange (Antalya IFF) and the Golden Tulip award (Istanbul IFF). This film was the first part of the 'Yusuf Trilogy' which made Semih Kaplanoglu worldwide known as a director. In 2008 'Milk' which took part in L'Atelier of the Cinéfondation in 2008, premiered at Venice IFF Official Competition, screened at festivals around the world, earning him international awards, including Fipresci prize at the Istanbul IFF. 'Honey' the third part of the 'Yusuf Trilogy', winner of Golden Bear award in 60th Berlinale IFF, traces the origins of a soul. In 2013 Kaplanoglu was invited to Cannes FF as a member of Cinéfondation & Short Film Jury member. Semih Kaplanoglu's 2017 dated film 'Grain', received Best Film Award in 30th Tokyo Film Festival. This 35 mm Black&White shot film is a co-production of Turkey, Germany, France, Sweden and Qatar, with Jean-Marc Barr, Ermin Bravo, Grigory Dobrygin and Cristina Flutur as cast and English as original language. It took 5 years to complete the film. In 2018, he started working on 'Commitment Trilogy'. 2019 dated 'Commitment Asli' was the Academy Award Nominee of Turkey is the first digital film from the director. In 2020, 'Commitment Hasan' was finished just before the pandemic hit the world causing lock-down. Kaplanoglu is now working on the last part of the trilogy 'Commitment Fikret' which is an adaptation of well known Turkish author Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar's novel 'A Mind At Peace'. As a producer, he contributed his fellow director Aida Begic's 'Djeca' which earned a special mention in 2012 Cannes Un Certain Regard. The film is a Bosnian, German, French and Turkish co-production supported by Sarajevo Cinematograhy Fund, Eurimages, MDM, ZDF /ARTE, TRT, Fonds Sud Cinema and Torino Film Lab. Semih Kaplanoglu, born in 1963, has also written many articles based on plastic arts and cinema which have been translated into foreign languages and published in many magazines and journals between 1987 and 2003.- Actor
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- Director
Agah Hün was born in 1918 in Istanbul, Turkey. He was an actor and writer, known for The Message (1976), Öldür beni (1963) and Meçhul kahramanlar (1958). He died on 24 July 1990 in Istanbul, Turkey.- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Producer
- Director
Ömer Vargi was born in 1953 in Istanbul, Turkey. He is an assistant director and producer, known for Her Sey Çok Güzel Olacak (1998), Insaat (2003) and The Bandit (1996).- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Sinasi Özonuk was born on 29 October 1918 in Ankara, Ottoman Empire [now Turkey]. He was a director and writer, known for Baytekin - fezada çarpisanlar (1967), Seni bekleyecegim (1962) and Vatan fedaileri (1961). He died in 1978.- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Kemal Kan, whose real name is Nurhan Tüzünkan, was born in Istanbul in 1929. He graduated from Istanbul Erkek High School. He graduated from Istanbul Law Faculty and Istanbul Municipality Conservatory Theater Department. He took the stage in Sariyer and Eminönü Community Centers during his student years. In 1952, he moved to cinema as an assistant director in Nuri Akinci's Beyoglu Esrari. He started acting in 1955 with the movie Irz Enemies, also directed by Nuri Akinci. In 1960, he made the transition to directing with the movie Zalim Kader. He founded Ne-Ka Film in 1967 and became a producer and director. He wrote the scripts for many of the films he directed. He directed films in many fields from village films to sex films. Continuing his cinema studies until the late 1980s, Kan passed away in 1997 in Istanbul