Cinema of Turkey
Encyclopedia
Turkish cinema is an important part of Turkish culture, and has flourished over the years, delivering entertainment to audiences in Turkey
, expatriates across Europe
, and in rare cases, the USA.
Yeşilçam ("Green Pine") refers to the Turkish film industry in the same way that Hollywood refers to American film.
This would rapidly change after World War II. A total of 49 films produced in 1952 meant that within a year, more films had been produced than the Turkish industry could produce during all the previous years. During the 60s, Turkey became the fifth biggest film producer world wide and annual film production reached the 300 film benchmark just at the beginning of the 70s. Compared with the histories of other national cinemas, the achievements of the Turkish film industry after 1950 are still remarkable.
However, the impact of TV and Video as the new popular media and political turmoil in the 70s (often hand in hand with deep economic crises) caused a sharp drop in ticket sales, resulting into a long crisis starting at around 1980 and continuing until the mid-90s. The number of annual ticket sales decreased from a 90 million tickets in 1966 to 56 million tickets in 1984 and only 11 million in 1990. Accordingly the number of film theatres fell from an approximately 2000 theatres in 1966 to 854 in 1984 and 290 in 1990. During the 1990s the average number of films produced per year remained between 10-15 films, usually half of them not even making it into the theatres.
Since 1995 the situation has improved. After the year 2000, annual ticket sales reached the 20 millions and since 1995, the number of theatres continuously increased to an approximately 500 theatres country-wide. Now, Turkish films attract millions of spectators and top the blockbuster-lists, often surpassing foreign films in terms of ticket sales. However, it is difficult to speak about the existence of an industry, since most films are rather individual projects of directors who otherwise earn their living in Television, Advertising or Theatre. The distribution of these films are mainly handled by foreign companies such as Warner Bros and United International Pictures.
However, the notable developments of these companies must be seen as necessary adaptations to the technological progress of the western film industries whose films they were importing. One example here being the establishment of the Marmara Dubbing Studio in the early 1930s, when the silent era came to an end in the West and sound-films became the standard, prompting the import-dependent companies to adjust themselves to the new technological requirements.
The big distributors in Istanbul, led by İpek Film and Kemal Film gradually expanded their distribution-system throughout the rest of the country during the 1930s, leading to the so-called "regional system" (Bölge İşletmeleri) which consisted of seven distribution areas with their headquarters being established in the most significant cities in those regions: Istanbul (Marmara Region), İzmir (Aegaean Region), Ankara (Middle Anatolian Region), Samsun (Black Sea Region), Adana (Mediterranean Region), Erzurum (East Anatolian Region) and Diyarbakir (South East Anatolian Region). The Regional System became much more important after the 1950s, when local film production dramatically increased and local films surpassed import-films in both ticket-sales and revenues. This system became the financial fundament of Yeşilçam (often referred to as "Turkish Hollywood), which was the heart of Turkish film production between the years 1955–1975. After 1965, a so-called "Combined-System" (Kombine Sistem)led by a trust of some regional leaders is said to have taken control on almost everything regarding production. A leading figure of the trust was producer Türker İnanoğlu
who is still active in the media business today, now running Ulusal Film, Turkey's largest TV production company.
The first film
showing in Turkey
was held in the Yıldız Palace
, Istanbul
in 1896. Public shows by Sigmund Weinberg in the Beyoğlu
and Sehzadebasi districts followed in 1897. Weinberg was already a prominent figure at that time, especially known as the a representative of foreign companies such as Pathé for whom he sold gramophones before he got into the film business. In some sources he is also mentioned as a photographer, again as a result of being one of the representatives of foreign companies such as Kodak-Goldmann.
The first Turkish movie, a documentary produced by Fuat Uzkinay
in 1914, depicted the destruction of the Russia
n monument in Ayastefanos by the public. The first thematic Turkish films were "The Marriage of Himmet Aga" (1916–1918), started by Weinberg and completed by Uzkinay, "The Paw" (1917) and "The Spy" (1917), both by Sedat Simavi. The army-affiliated Central Cinema Directorate, a semi-military national defense society, and the Disabled Veterans Society were the producing organizations of that period.
In 1922 a major documentary film
, "Independence, the İzmir Victory," was made about the first war of Independence. The same year, the first private movie studio
, Kemal Film, commenced operations. From 1923 to 1939, Muhsin Ertugrul
was the only film director
in the country. He directed 29 films during this period, generally incorporating adaptions of plays, operetta
s, fiction and foreign films. The influence of the theater dating back to Uzkinay, Simavi, Ahmet Fehim and Karagozoglu is very strong in Muhsin Ertugrul's work.
The years between 1939 and 1950 were a period of transition for Turkish cinema
, during which it was greatly influenced by the theater as well as by World War II
. While there were only two film companies in 1939, the number increased to four between 1946 and 1950. After 1949, Turkish cinema was able to develop as a separate art, with a more professional caliber of talents.
, and Pinewood
in the United Kingdom
. Yeşilçam is named after Yeşilçam Street in the Beyoğlu
district of Istanbul
where many actors, directors, crew members and studios were based.
Yeşilçam experienced its heyday during the 1950s-1970s, when it produced 250-350 films annually. After the 1970s, Yeşilçam suffered due to the spread of television
in Turkey. However, Yeşilçam has seen a revival since 2002, having produced critically acclaimed movies such as Uzak (Grand Prix
(Cannes Film Festival), 2003
), Babam ve Oğlum
and Propaganda
.
Turkish
actors most commonly associated with Yeşilçam include:
Between 1950 and 1966, more than fifty movie directors practiced film arts in Turkey. Ömer Lütfi Akad
strongly influenced the period, but Osman Fahir Seden
, Atıf Yılmaz
, and Memduh Ün
made the most films. The film Susuz Yaz
(Dry Summer), made by Metin Erksan
, won the Golden Bear Award
at the Berlin Film Festival in 1964.
The number of cinemagoers and the number of films made record a constant increase, especially after 1958. In the 1960s, cinema courses were included in the programs of the theater departments in the Language, History and Geography faculties of Ankara University
and Istanbul University
, and in the Press and Publications High School of Ankara University. A cinema branch was also established in the Art History Department of the State Fine Arts Academy.
The Union of Turkish Film Producers, and the State Film Archives also were established in the 1960s. The State Film Archives became the Turkish Film Archives in 1969. During the same period, the Cinema-TV Institute was founded and annexed to the State Academy of Fine Arts. The Turkish State Archives also became part of this organization. In 1962, the Cinema-TV Institute became a department of Mimar Sinan University. Among the well-known directors of the 1960–1970 period are Metin Erksan, Atıf Yılmaz, Memduh Ün, Halit Refiğ
, Duygu Sağıroğlu, Remzi Aydın Jöntürk
and Nevzat Pesen. In 1970, the numbers of cinemas and cinemagoers rose spectacularly. In 2,424 cinemas, films were viewed by a record number of 247 million viewers.
In 1970, approximately 220 films were made and this figure reached 300 in 1972. Turkish cinema gave birth to its legendary stars at this period, notable examples being Kemal Sunal
, Kadir İnanır
, Türkan Şoray
and Şener Şen
. After this period however, the cinema began to lose its audiences, due to nationwide TV broadcasts. After 1970, a new and young generation of directors emerged, but they had to cope with an increased demand for video films after 1980.
(English: The Bandit) and Züğürt Ağa (English: The Agha), both starring Şener Şen
. Both movies were critically and commercially acclaimed.
However, the rise of Yesilçam didn't take place until the release of Vizontele
. The film was directed, written, and starred by Yılmaz Erdoğan
, who was praised by his long-running sit-com Bir Demet Tiyatro, and his dedication to theatre. The movie starred the cast of his usual plays, most notably Demet Akbağ
, Altan Erkekli
, and Cem Yılmaz
. This movie's huge commercial success (watched by 2.5 million viewers, which earned the movie the most viewed film for its day) brought attention to the industry. A few years later, Cem Yılmaz released his own film, G.O.R.A.
, which he both wrote and starred in. This, and Vizontele's sequel Vizontele Tuuba
broke Vizonteles records, by achieving 3.5, and 3 million viewers respectively.
Since then larger-budgeted films produced, notable examples being Kurtlar Vadisi: Irak (English: Valley of the Wolves: Iraq), continuing the story of the controversial series Kurtlar Vadisi
, (reached 4 million viewers and still holds the record), Babam ve Oğlum
(English: My Father and My Son), Cem Yılmaz's second movie Hokkabaz (English: The Magician) .
There has been a rise in more experimental films in the 2000s. Notably the 2005 feature Türev was filmed without a prewritten script and even featured candid shots of the actors. Anlat Istanbul
(Istanbul Tales), an ensemble piece divided into five "mini films" got a strong reception.
The production numbers also soared in the second half of the 2000s, with 40 films in 2007, and top 4 box office hits in 2007 claimed by Turkish films, as the film industry became profitable again with improving technical quality corresponding with commercial films' production costs increasing.
In the 1930s some members of the parliament raised the issue whether films would have a bad impact on children. This was a popular theme at that time, not just in Turkey, but also in the USA for example. (See: Payne Foundation Studies) Later on in the 1960s, a debate around the so-called Baykam-Law became quite famous for the tension it created amongst the parliamentarians and the stakeholders in the industry. In 1977 and 1978 some further discussions for a cinema law have been held, but without any result.
In 1986, finally, a cinema law, though highly criticised by members of the industry and the cinema intelligentsia of that time, has been passed by the parliament and is since then the fundamental legislative document regarding cinema issues in Turkey.
. A reorganization of the film industry began in 1987 to address problems and assure its development. The Ministry of Culture established the "Professional Union of Owners of Turkish Works of Cinema" the same year.
The "Copyrights and General Directorate of Cinema" was founded in 1989 as well as a "Support Fund for the Cinema and Musical Arts". This fund is used to provide financial support to the film sector.
A very interesting example on the level of absurdity that censorship could reach is mentioned in Çetin Yetkin's book Siyasal Iktidar Sanata Karşı (Political Regime vs Art), published in 1970. It tells the story of a film which was classified as "inappropriate for export" because the Evaluation Committee decided that the film contains "communist propaganda". The film-owner, who applied to the committee for being granted an export-certificate was surprised to see the decision because he mentioned on his application form that his intention was to sell a copy of the film to a distributor in the Soviet Union, the worlds leading communist country at that time.
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, expatriates across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and in rare cases, the USA.
Yeşilçam ("Green Pine") refers to the Turkish film industry in the same way that Hollywood refers to American film.
Overview
In terms of film production, Turkey shared the same fate with many of the national cinemas of the 20th century. Film production wasn't continuous until around the 1950s and the film market in general was run by a few major import companies that struggled for domination in the most population-dense and profitable cities such as Istanbul and Izmir. Film theatres rarely ever screened any locally produced films and the majority of the programs consisted of films of the stronger western film industries, especially those of the USA, France, Italy and Germany. Attempts in film production came only from these big importers, which could rely on their strong distribution-system and their theatre-chains that would guarantee them a return-of-investment. Between the years 1896–1945, the number of locally produced films did not even reach 50 films in total, equalling to an average annual film production under one film per year. Compared to the thousands of films that have been imported and screened during the same period, it is hard to speak about a presence of film production in Turkey before the 1950s.This would rapidly change after World War II. A total of 49 films produced in 1952 meant that within a year, more films had been produced than the Turkish industry could produce during all the previous years. During the 60s, Turkey became the fifth biggest film producer world wide and annual film production reached the 300 film benchmark just at the beginning of the 70s. Compared with the histories of other national cinemas, the achievements of the Turkish film industry after 1950 are still remarkable.
However, the impact of TV and Video as the new popular media and political turmoil in the 70s (often hand in hand with deep economic crises) caused a sharp drop in ticket sales, resulting into a long crisis starting at around 1980 and continuing until the mid-90s. The number of annual ticket sales decreased from a 90 million tickets in 1966 to 56 million tickets in 1984 and only 11 million in 1990. Accordingly the number of film theatres fell from an approximately 2000 theatres in 1966 to 854 in 1984 and 290 in 1990. During the 1990s the average number of films produced per year remained between 10-15 films, usually half of them not even making it into the theatres.
Since 1995 the situation has improved. After the year 2000, annual ticket sales reached the 20 millions and since 1995, the number of theatres continuously increased to an approximately 500 theatres country-wide. Now, Turkish films attract millions of spectators and top the blockbuster-lists, often surpassing foreign films in terms of ticket sales. However, it is difficult to speak about the existence of an industry, since most films are rather individual projects of directors who otherwise earn their living in Television, Advertising or Theatre. The distribution of these films are mainly handled by foreign companies such as Warner Bros and United International Pictures.
Pre-1950s
Most of the Turkish films produced before 1950 were projects initiated by import companies owned by local families, most notably İpek Film, a daughter company of the İpek Merchandise, an import company that already existed in the 19th century as can be seen in their adverts published in Ottoman literary journals such as Servet-i-Fünun. Another important company in the early era of Turkish cinema was Kemal Film, a company whose continuous presence as a leading import company has been often overseen for a few local films it produced during the 1920s. (It is interesting to note that the founders of Kemal Film bought their first film camera on loan from the Ipek Merchandise). Both companies would be the strongest film distributors until the 1950s and the only companies that were financially sound enough to produce films themselves, with low risks for financial failure as they already were in possession of a distribution-system and theatre chains that guaranteed a return-of-investment.However, the notable developments of these companies must be seen as necessary adaptations to the technological progress of the western film industries whose films they were importing. One example here being the establishment of the Marmara Dubbing Studio in the early 1930s, when the silent era came to an end in the West and sound-films became the standard, prompting the import-dependent companies to adjust themselves to the new technological requirements.
The big distributors in Istanbul, led by İpek Film and Kemal Film gradually expanded their distribution-system throughout the rest of the country during the 1930s, leading to the so-called "regional system" (Bölge İşletmeleri) which consisted of seven distribution areas with their headquarters being established in the most significant cities in those regions: Istanbul (Marmara Region), İzmir (Aegaean Region), Ankara (Middle Anatolian Region), Samsun (Black Sea Region), Adana (Mediterranean Region), Erzurum (East Anatolian Region) and Diyarbakir (South East Anatolian Region). The Regional System became much more important after the 1950s, when local film production dramatically increased and local films surpassed import-films in both ticket-sales and revenues. This system became the financial fundament of Yeşilçam (often referred to as "Turkish Hollywood), which was the heart of Turkish film production between the years 1955–1975. After 1965, a so-called "Combined-System" (Kombine Sistem)led by a trust of some regional leaders is said to have taken control on almost everything regarding production. A leading figure of the trust was producer Türker İnanoğlu
Türker Inanoglu
Türker İnanoğlu is a Turkish screenwriter, film director and producer.-Life:...
who is still active in the media business today, now running Ulusal Film, Turkey's largest TV production company.
The first film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
showing in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
was held in the Yıldız Palace
Yildiz Palace
Yıldız Palace is a vast complex of former imperial Ottoman pavilions and villas in Istanbul, Turkey, built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was used as a residence by the Sultan and his court in the late 19th century.- Origin :...
, Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
in 1896. Public shows by Sigmund Weinberg in the Beyoğlu
Beyoglu
Beyoğlu is a district located on the European side of İstanbul, Turkey, separated from the old city by the Golden Horn...
and Sehzadebasi districts followed in 1897. Weinberg was already a prominent figure at that time, especially known as the a representative of foreign companies such as Pathé for whom he sold gramophones before he got into the film business. In some sources he is also mentioned as a photographer, again as a result of being one of the representatives of foreign companies such as Kodak-Goldmann.
The first Turkish movie, a documentary produced by Fuat Uzkinay
Fuat Uzkinay
Fuat Uzkınay was the first Turkish filmmaker.After finishing İstanbul Highschool, he took physics and chemistry classes at İstanbul University. While he started to work at a high school as a principal, there was a growing interest in cinema among the Ottomans...
in 1914, depicted the destruction of the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n monument in Ayastefanos by the public. The first thematic Turkish films were "The Marriage of Himmet Aga" (1916–1918), started by Weinberg and completed by Uzkinay, "The Paw" (1917) and "The Spy" (1917), both by Sedat Simavi. The army-affiliated Central Cinema Directorate, a semi-military national defense society, and the Disabled Veterans Society were the producing organizations of that period.
In 1922 a major documentary film
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
, "Independence, the İzmir Victory," was made about the first war of Independence. The same year, the first private movie studio
Movie studio
A movie studio is a term used to describe a major entertainment company or production company that has its own privately owned studio facility or facilities that are used to film movies...
, Kemal Film, commenced operations. From 1923 to 1939, Muhsin Ertugrul
Muhsin Ertugrul
Muhsin Ertuğrul , aka Ertuğrul Muhsin Bey, was a Turkish actor and director.Muhsin Ertuğrul, who had important contributions to both Turkish theatre and Turkish cinema, was born in İstanbul on March 7, 1892...
was the only film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
in the country. He directed 29 films during this period, generally incorporating adaptions of plays, operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
s, fiction and foreign films. The influence of the theater dating back to Uzkinay, Simavi, Ahmet Fehim and Karagozoglu is very strong in Muhsin Ertugrul's work.
The years between 1939 and 1950 were a period of transition for Turkish cinema
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, during which it was greatly influenced by the theater as well as by World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. While there were only two film companies in 1939, the number increased to four between 1946 and 1950. After 1949, Turkish cinema was able to develop as a separate art, with a more professional caliber of talents.
The Yeşilçam era
Yesilçam ("Green pine") is a metonym for the Turkish film industry, similar to Hollywood in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and Pinewood
Pinewood
Pinewood may refer to:* Pine, a species of tree* Pinewood Studios, a major British film studio in Buckinghamshire-Places:in England* Pinewood, Suffolkin the United States* Pinewood, Florida* Pinewood, Minnesota...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Yeşilçam is named after Yeşilçam Street in the Beyoğlu
Beyoglu
Beyoğlu is a district located on the European side of İstanbul, Turkey, separated from the old city by the Golden Horn...
district of Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
where many actors, directors, crew members and studios were based.
Yeşilçam experienced its heyday during the 1950s-1970s, when it produced 250-350 films annually. After the 1970s, Yeşilçam suffered due to the spread of television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
in Turkey. However, Yeşilçam has seen a revival since 2002, having produced critically acclaimed movies such as Uzak (Grand Prix
Grand Prix (Cannes Film Festival)
The Grand Prix is an award of the Cannes Film Festival bestowed by the jury of the festival on one of the competing feature films. It is the second-most prestigious prize of the festival after the Palme d'Or...
(Cannes Film Festival), 2003
2003 Cannes Film Festival
The 2003 Cannes Film Festival started on May 14 and ran until May 25. The Palme d'Or went to the American film Elephant by Gus Van Sant.-Jury:* Patrice Chéreau, President * Aishwarya Rai * Meg Ryan * Karin Viard...
), Babam ve Oğlum
My Father, My Son
My Father and My Son is a 2005 Turkish drama film written and directed by Çağan Irmak about a family torn apart by the 1980 Turkish coup d'état...
and Propaganda
Propaganda (film)
Propaganda is an award-winning 1999 Turkish comedy film written, directed and produced Sinan Çetin. The film, which is a darkly surreal comedy set in a sleepy village in the southeast Turkey in 1948, starred popular comedy actor Kemal Sunal, who died the same year, in his final role...
.
Turkish
Turkish people
Turkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
actors most commonly associated with Yeşilçam include:
- Ayhan IşıkAyhan IsikAyhan Işık, born Ayhan Işıyan was one of the most popular Turkish film actor.-Biography:He was born in İzmir, Turkey in 1929. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in 1953. He started to work as a painter and a graphic designer...
- Sadri AlışıkSadri AlisikSadri Alışık, born Mehmet Sadrettin Alışık was a popular Turkish film actor.- Biography :...
- Aytaç ArmanAytaç ArmanAytaç Arman is a Turkish actor. He has appeared in 42 films and television shows since 1971. He starred in the 1979 film The Enemy, which won an Honourable Mention at the 30th Berlin International Film Festival.-Selected filmography:...
- Baki Tamer
- Belgin DorukBelgin DorukBelgin Doruk was a popular Turkish film actress.- Biography :Belgin Doruk was born in Ankara, Turkey in 1936. While she continued her education in a high school she took part in a competition and became first along with Ayhan Işık and Mahir Özerdem...
- Ayşen GrudaAyşen GrudaAyşen Gruda is a Turkish actress and comedienne.-Biography:Ayşen Gruda was born in Uluc, Berk. Her sisters Ayben and Ayten also would also go on to become actors....
- Gülşen Bubikoğlu
- Altan Günbay
- Kadir İnanırKadir InanirKadir İnanır is a popular Turkish film actor and director.- Biography :İnanır was born in 1949 in Fatsa, a town in Ordu province of Turkey. He acted in forty-three films since 1967 and appeared on television in "Bütün Çocuklarım" as Ali Yahya in 2004...
- Erol TaşErol TaşErol Taş was a Turkish film actor. He appeared in 220 films between 1957 and 1998. He starred in the 1964 film Susuz Yaz, which won the Golden Bear at the 14th Berlin International Film Festival....
- Semra Sar
- Göksel ArsoyGöksel Arsoy-Biography:When Arsoy was studying at İstanbul University's Economics faculty, he started working at the nearby Yeşilköy Airport. In 1958, he made his film debut in Kara Günlerim directed by Sırrı Gültekin and went on to appear in films such as Kelepçe and Samanyolu...
- Atilla Ergün
- Bilal İnci
- Hakkı Kıvanç
- Hüseyin Baradan
- Nejat Gürçen
- Türkan ŞorayTürkan Soray- Biography :Türkan Şoray was born to a government official father, Halit Şoray and her mother, Meliha Şoray, was a housewife. She has one younger sister Nazan, who is also an actress in her own right but is nowhere near as famous as Türkan. After the birth of her younger sister, Türkan's parents...
- Yılmaz GüneyYilmaz GüneyYılmaz Güney, was a Kurdish film director, scenarist, novelist and actor from Turkey. Many of his works are devoted to the plight of ordinary, working class people in Turkey.- Biography :...
- Nilüfer Aydan
- Kemal SunalKemal SunalKemal Sunal was a master of comedy in the Turkish history of cinema. Famed for his parts as "İnek Şaban", "Tosun Paşa", "Kibar Feyzo", "Süt Kardeşler"...
- Tarık AkanTarik AkanTarık Akan is a Turkish film actor and producer who has been active since the 1970s.-Biography:...
- Zeynep DeğirmencioğluZeynep DegirmenciogluZeynep Değirmencioğlu is a Turkish actress.-Biography:She was born in Istanbul in 1954. She made her first appearance as a one year old baby in "Papatya" and established herself as a childstar with appearances in films like "Duvaklı Göl" and "Fırtına". In 1960 she acted in "Ayşecik"...
- Münir ÖzkulMünir ÖzkulMünir Özkul is a retired Turkish cinema and theatre actor. He has been awarded the title of "State Artist of Turkey"...
- Hale SoygaziHale SoygaziHale Soygazi is a famous Turkish film actress of the 1970s and 1980s.- Biography :She was born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1950. She studied French philology at the university. She was chosen as 'Miss Turkey' in 1973 and also did modeling for magazines. She made her film debut in a leading role in Kara...
- Ediz HunEdiz HunEdiz Hun is a famous Turkish film actor.-Biography:After studying at the St. George's Austrian High School in Istanbul, he graduated in Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Trondheim in Norway. After he had participated in a contest organized by Ses magazine he was noticed by...
- Halit AkçatepeHalit AkçatepeHalit Akçatepe is a Turkish actor.Akçatepe was born in Istanbul in 1938, the son of Sitki Akçatepe. In 1943, he made his debut in the film Dertli Pınar at the age of 5 and made more appearances in other films in some child roles. Akçatepe completed his studies in Saint Benoit French High...
- Kartal TibetKartal TibetKartal Tibet is a Turkish actor and film director. Some of his famous films include Ölmeyen Aşk, Dağlar Kızı, Senede Bir Gün, Sultan, Zübük, Gol Kralı, Gol Krale and Şalvar Davası. Tibet is also known for his action roles, especially that of the title character in the Karaoğlan and Tarkan film...
- Zeki AlasyaZeki AlasyaZeki Alasyam is a Turkish actor and director. Alasya is of Turkish Cypriot descent and is the cousin of Kıbrıslı Mehmed Kamil Pasha....
- Metin AkpınarMetin AkpinarMetin Akpınar is a Turkish actor. He has been one of the most successful comedians in Turkey.-Biography:He was born in Aksaray,Istanbul, and graduated from Pertevniyal high school. He pursued his university career in Faculty of Law and Literature at Istanbul.His professional career started in 1964...
- Hulusi KentmenHulusi KentmenHulusi Kentmen was a Turkish actor.He was born in Tarnovo, Bulgaria in 1912. He studied at Naval Academy. After serving for a long time in the army, he took up acting. He acted in the play Hisse-i Şaiya and made his film debut in 1940 with Sürtük. Between 1942 and 1988, he acted in over 300 films...
- İzzet GünayIzzet Günayİzzet Günay is Turkish film and theatre/stage actor. He is one of the most experienced and well known Turkish actors with appearances in more than 100 films across six decades.-Biography:...
- Filiz Akın
- Fatma GirikFatma GirikFatma Girik is a Turkish actress and later politician.- Biography :She was born in 1942 in Istanbul. She graduated from "Cağaloğlu Kız Lisesi" in Istanbul. Her first appearance in front of the camera was as a walking lady in the movie "Günahkar Baba" by Arşavir Alyanak...
- Cüneyt ArkınCüneyt ArkinCüneyt Arkın , is a Turkish film actor, director and producer. His real name is Fahrettin Cüreklibatur....
- Ekrem BoraEkrem Bora-Biography:After finishing school, he went to Sultanahmet State Printinghouse where he got a diploma in typsesetting and binding. In 1953, he participated in and won the "Sinema Artist" competition held by Sezai Solelli's Yıldız magazine....
- Adile NaşitAdile NasitAdile Naşit was a Turkish actress, who is best known for being the partner of Münir Özkul in movies like Neşeli Günler and in Hababam Sınıfı...
- Hülya KoçyiğitHülya KoçyigitHülya Koçyiğit is a famous Turkish actress. She is considered to be one of Turkish cinema's most famous female leads and has received numerous awards such as at the prestigious Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival and at various other international film festivals...
- Şener ŞenSener SenŞener Şen is a Turkish film and theatre actor, who has won the Golden Orange for Best Actor twice for his roles in Mr...
Between 1950 and 1966, more than fifty movie directors practiced film arts in Turkey. Ömer Lütfi Akad
Ömer Lütfi Akad
Ömer Lütfi Akad, aka Lütfi Ömer Akad, was a Turkish film director, who directed movies from 1948-1974. In 1949, he debuted as a film director with Vurun Kahpeye an adaptation of Halide Edip Adıvar's book of the same title. He became one of the pioneers of the period in the "Director Generation"...
strongly influenced the period, but Osman Fahir Seden
Osman Fahir Seden
Osman Fahir Seden usually credited as Osman F. Seden was a Turkish film director, screenwriter and film producer.He directed and wrote for over 120 films between 1955 and 1987.-References:...
, Atıf Yılmaz
Atif Yilmaz
Atıf Yılmaz Batıbeki was a renowned Turkish Kurdish film director, screenwriter and film producer. He was almost a legend in the film industry of Turkey with 119 movies directed. He also wrote 53 screenplays and produced 28 movies since 1951. He was active in almost every period of the Turkish...
, and Memduh Ün
Memduh Ün
Memduh Ün is a Turkish film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. His film The Broken Pots was entered into the 11th Berlin International Film Festival.-External links:...
made the most films. The film Susuz Yaz
Susuz Yaz
Dry Summer is a 1964 black-and-white Turkish drama film, co-produced, co-written and directed by Metin Erksan based on a novel by Necati Cumalı, featuring Erol Taş as a tobacco farmer, who selfishly dams a river to irrigate his own property and ruin his competitors. It is also available in an...
(Dry Summer), made by Metin Erksan
Metin Erksan
Metin Erksan is a Turkish film director and art historian.- Biography :...
, won the Golden Bear Award
Golden Bear
According to legend, the Golden Bear was a large golden Ursus arctos. Members of the Ursus arctos species can reach masses of . The Grizzly Bear and the Kodiak Bear are North American subspecies of the Brown Bear....
at the Berlin Film Festival in 1964.
The number of cinemagoers and the number of films made record a constant increase, especially after 1958. In the 1960s, cinema courses were included in the programs of the theater departments in the Language, History and Geography faculties of Ankara University
Ankara University
Ankara University is a public university in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. It was the first higher education institution founded in the Turkish Republic....
and Istanbul University
Istanbul University
Istanbul University is a Turkish university located in Istanbul. The main campus is adjacent to Beyazıt Square.- Synopsis :A madrasa, a religious school, was established sometime in the 15th century after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. An institution of higher education named the...
, and in the Press and Publications High School of Ankara University. A cinema branch was also established in the Art History Department of the State Fine Arts Academy.
The Union of Turkish Film Producers, and the State Film Archives also were established in the 1960s. The State Film Archives became the Turkish Film Archives in 1969. During the same period, the Cinema-TV Institute was founded and annexed to the State Academy of Fine Arts. The Turkish State Archives also became part of this organization. In 1962, the Cinema-TV Institute became a department of Mimar Sinan University. Among the well-known directors of the 1960–1970 period are Metin Erksan, Atıf Yılmaz, Memduh Ün, Halit Refiğ
Halit Refig
Halit Refiğ was a Turkish film director, film producer, screenwriter and writer. He made around sixty films, including feature films, documentaries and TV serials...
, Duygu Sağıroğlu, Remzi Aydın Jöntürk
Remzi Aydin Jöntürk
Remzi Aydın Jöntürk was a prominent Turkish film director, actor, screenwriter, producer as well as a sculptor and a paint artist...
and Nevzat Pesen. In 1970, the numbers of cinemas and cinemagoers rose spectacularly. In 2,424 cinemas, films were viewed by a record number of 247 million viewers.
In 1970, approximately 220 films were made and this figure reached 300 in 1972. Turkish cinema gave birth to its legendary stars at this period, notable examples being Kemal Sunal
Kemal Sunal
Kemal Sunal was a master of comedy in the Turkish history of cinema. Famed for his parts as "İnek Şaban", "Tosun Paşa", "Kibar Feyzo", "Süt Kardeşler"...
, Kadir İnanır
Kadir Inanir
Kadir İnanır is a popular Turkish film actor and director.- Biography :İnanır was born in 1949 in Fatsa, a town in Ordu province of Turkey. He acted in forty-three films since 1967 and appeared on television in "Bütün Çocuklarım" as Ali Yahya in 2004...
, Türkan Şoray
Türkan Soray
- Biography :Türkan Şoray was born to a government official father, Halit Şoray and her mother, Meliha Şoray, was a housewife. She has one younger sister Nazan, who is also an actress in her own right but is nowhere near as famous as Türkan. After the birth of her younger sister, Türkan's parents...
and Şener Şen
Sener Sen
Şener Şen is a Turkish film and theatre actor, who has won the Golden Orange for Best Actor twice for his roles in Mr...
. After this period however, the cinema began to lose its audiences, due to nationwide TV broadcasts. After 1970, a new and young generation of directors emerged, but they had to cope with an increased demand for video films after 1980.
Decline of Yeşilçam and the post-Yeşilçam era
Increased production costs and difficulties faced in the import of raw materials brought about a decrease in the number of films made in the 1970s, but the quality of films improved. However, the fall of cinema's popularity continued. In the early nineties, there were barely two or three movies released for a year. During this period, most of the seventies' stars had either moved to TV, or were trying to rebuild the Yeşilçam's former glory. Some of the notable examples of this era are EşkıyaEskiya
The Bandit is an award-winning 1996 Turkish film written and directed by Yavuz Turgul and starring Şener Şen and Uğur Yücel....
(English: The Bandit) and Züğürt Ağa (English: The Agha), both starring Şener Şen
Sener Sen
Şener Şen is a Turkish film and theatre actor, who has won the Golden Orange for Best Actor twice for his roles in Mr...
. Both movies were critically and commercially acclaimed.
However, the rise of Yesilçam didn't take place until the release of Vizontele
Vizontele
Vizontele is a 2001 Turkish comedy-drama film, written and directed by Yılmaz Erdoğan and co-directed by Ömer Faruk Sorak, based on the writer-director's childhood memories of the arrival of the first television to his village in the late 70's. The film, which went on nationwide release on , won...
. The film was directed, written, and starred by Yılmaz Erdoğan
Yilmaz Erdogan
Yılmaz Erdoğan is a Turkish filmmaker, actor and poet, who is most famous for his box-office record-breaking debut comedy film Vizontele and the television series Bir Demet Tiyatro ....
, who was praised by his long-running sit-com Bir Demet Tiyatro, and his dedication to theatre. The movie starred the cast of his usual plays, most notably Demet Akbağ
Demet Akbag
Demet Akbağ is a Turkish theatre and film actress.- Biography :Demet Akbağ was born in İzmir, Turkey in 1959. She started her professional career with a play in Gönül Ülkü/Gazanfer Özcan Theatre. Akbag, who joined many theatre groups, started to work for various TV shows in 1987...
, Altan Erkekli
Altan Erkekli
Altan Erkekli is a Turkish theatre and film actor.- Filmography :Films:* 1982 "Dolap Beygiri"* 1989 "Can Şenliği"* 1991 "Deniz Gurbetçileri"* 1993 "Mavi Sürgün"* 1996 "80...
, and Cem Yılmaz
Cem Yilmaz
Cem Yılmaz is a Turkish stand-up comedian, actor and filmmaker, best known for his films G.O.R.A. , A.R.O.G and Yahşi Batı , who has won two Sadri Alışık awards for his roles in Organize İşler and The Magician .-Biography:While studying at the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management of...
. This movie's huge commercial success (watched by 2.5 million viewers, which earned the movie the most viewed film for its day) brought attention to the industry. A few years later, Cem Yılmaz released his own film, G.O.R.A.
G.O.R.A.
G.O.R.A. is a 2004 Turkish science-fiction comedy film, directed by Ömer Faruk Sorak, which stars Cem Yılmaz as a used carpet salesman who is abducted by aliens from the planet G.O.R.A...
, which he both wrote and starred in. This, and Vizontele's sequel Vizontele Tuuba
Vizontele Tuuba
Vizontele Tuuba is a 2004 Turkish comedy-drama film, written and directed by Yılmaz Erdoğan, based on the writer-director's childhood memories of the last summer of his childhood in village in 1980...
broke Vizonteles records, by achieving 3.5, and 3 million viewers respectively.
Since then larger-budgeted films produced, notable examples being Kurtlar Vadisi: Irak (English: Valley of the Wolves: Iraq), continuing the story of the controversial series Kurtlar Vadisi
Kurtlar Vadisi
Valley of the Wolves is a Turkish prime time TV series created by Osman Sınav, which followed a Turkish agent working under the assumed identity of Polat Alemdar attempting to infiltrate the Turkish mafia...
, (reached 4 million viewers and still holds the record), Babam ve Oğlum
My Father, My Son
My Father and My Son is a 2005 Turkish drama film written and directed by Çağan Irmak about a family torn apart by the 1980 Turkish coup d'état...
(English: My Father and My Son), Cem Yılmaz's second movie Hokkabaz (English: The Magician) .
There has been a rise in more experimental films in the 2000s. Notably the 2005 feature Türev was filmed without a prewritten script and even featured candid shots of the actors. Anlat Istanbul
Istanbul Tales
Istanbul Tales is a 2005 Turkish drama-anthology film, directed by Selim Demirdelen, Kudret Sabancı, Ümit Ünal, Yücel Yolcu and Ömür Atay, which tells 5 interconnected stories set in modern day Istanbul based on the fairytales Snow White, Cinderella, Pied Piper, Sleeping Beauty and Little Red...
(Istanbul Tales), an ensemble piece divided into five "mini films" got a strong reception.
The production numbers also soared in the second half of the 2000s, with 40 films in 2007, and top 4 box office hits in 2007 claimed by Turkish films, as the film industry became profitable again with improving technical quality corresponding with commercial films' production costs increasing.
Legal issues
Although the need for a Cinema Law has been very often raised throughout the history of the Turkish Republic, until 1986 no specific law or regulation has been developed. While films have been usually treated as goods and were in that regard subject to laws regarding taxation, content-wise they were controlled by commissions that have been often criticized for being mechanism of censorship.In the 1930s some members of the parliament raised the issue whether films would have a bad impact on children. This was a popular theme at that time, not just in Turkey, but also in the USA for example. (See: Payne Foundation Studies) Later on in the 1960s, a debate around the so-called Baykam-Law became quite famous for the tension it created amongst the parliamentarians and the stakeholders in the industry. In 1977 and 1978 some further discussions for a cinema law have been held, but without any result.
In 1986, finally, a cinema law, though highly criticised by members of the industry and the cinema intelligentsia of that time, has been passed by the parliament and is since then the fundamental legislative document regarding cinema issues in Turkey.
Laws and regulations
On January 23, 1986, a new cinema law aimed to ensure support for those working in cinema and musicMusic
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
. A reorganization of the film industry began in 1987 to address problems and assure its development. The Ministry of Culture established the "Professional Union of Owners of Turkish Works of Cinema" the same year.
The "Copyrights and General Directorate of Cinema" was founded in 1989 as well as a "Support Fund for the Cinema and Musical Arts". This fund is used to provide financial support to the film sector.
Rating systems and censorship
One of the most interesting studies on the issue of film censorship in Turkey is Alim Şerif Onaran's Sinematografik Hürriyet (Cinematic Freedom), published in 1968 by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but written in 1963 and being the first study in Turkey which received a PhD for a topic related to film. This study is still the most important -if not only- study on the film evaluation methods applied in Turkey before the 1950s. Onaran himself being active as a member of the Film Rating Commission in his younger years, was a true expert on the topic and his research includes also examples of the late Ottoman Period. Ironically, Onaran became one of the most important intellectuals on film in Turkey, owing his wealth of knowledge on early world film history to the years he spent watching the films he was enrolled to evaluate as a committee member.A very interesting example on the level of absurdity that censorship could reach is mentioned in Çetin Yetkin's book Siyasal Iktidar Sanata Karşı (Political Regime vs Art), published in 1970. It tells the story of a film which was classified as "inappropriate for export" because the Evaluation Committee decided that the film contains "communist propaganda". The film-owner, who applied to the committee for being granted an export-certificate was surprised to see the decision because he mentioned on his application form that his intention was to sell a copy of the film to a distributor in the Soviet Union, the worlds leading communist country at that time.
Festivals
- Antalya Film Festival - The most prestigious and popular festival in Turkey. Each year participiants are rewarded with the Golden Orange for outstanding performances in categories such as best film, best director, and best actor/actress.
- Ankara International Film FestivalAnkara International Film FestivalThe Ankara International Film Festival is a film festival, organized by The World Mass Media Research Foundation and accredited by FIPRESCI, which has been held in Ankara, Turkey since 1988.-Editions:...
- First held in 1988. It is considered the second most prestigious film festival in Turkey - Istanbul International Film FestivalIstanbul International Film FestivalThe Istanbul International Film Festival is the first and oldest international film festival in Turkey, organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts , a non-profit organisation. It is held every year in April in movie theaters in Istanbul, Turkey...
- First held in 1982, this annual film festival is one of the most important intellectual events in Turkey, often causing many cineastes living outside of Istanbul to go there for vacation to see the most precious examples of world film history presented there. - Adana Film Festival - Another important film festival held annually in the city of AdanaAdanaAdana is a city in southern Turkey and a major agricultural and commercial center. The city is situated on the Seyhan River, 30 kilometres inland from the Mediterranean, in south-central Anatolia...
. Its top award is the Golden Boll received in the past by such prominent figures as Yılmaz GüneyYilmaz GüneyYılmaz Güney, was a Kurdish film director, scenarist, novelist and actor from Turkey. Many of his works are devoted to the plight of ordinary, working class people in Turkey.- Biography :...
, who himself grew up in Adana. - Ankara Flying Broom Women's Film FestivalAnkara Flying Broom Women's Film FestivalThe Flying Broom, Women's Film Festival is an annual event celebrating women's contributions to filmmaking. It is organized by an Ankara-based Turkish organization, was established by Halime Güner in 1996 to fight and raise awareness for women's human rights. The event began in 1997.The Flying...
- (Flying Broom) is Turkey's only festival devoted to Feminism and Gender-Issues. The festival is held on an annual basis in AnkaraAnkaraAnkara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
. The festival aims to support young women in making their debut-films and organizes workshops on scriptwriting and film-making.
Film schools
- Anadolu UniversityAnadolu UniversityAnadolu University is a public university in Eskişehir, Turkey and the fourth largest university in the world by enrollment.- History :...
Cinema and Television Department, Eskişehir - Ankara UniversityAnkara UniversityAnkara University is a public university in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. It was the first higher education institution founded in the Turkish Republic....
Faculty of Communication, Department of Radio, Television and Film, Ankara - Beykent UniversityBeykent UniversityBeykent University is a private university in Istanbul, Turkey, teaching in English. The typical enrolment is 15,000 students.It has four faculties comprising 28 academic departments in the fields of Engineering and Architecture, Fine Arts, Science, Economics and Administrative Sciences; a school...
Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Cinema and TV, Istanbul - Bilkent UniversityBilkent Universityİhsan Doğramacı Bilkent University, commonly referred to as Bilkent University or Bilkent, is the first private, nonprofit university in Turkey with the fundamental aim of creating a center of excellence in higher education and research...
Communication and Design Department, Ankara - Dokuz Eylül UniversityDokuz Eylül UniversityDokuz Eylül University is one of the preeminent universities in Turkey. It is located in İzmir, Turkey. It was founded in 1982 and is organized in 10 schools...
Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Film Design, İzmir - Ege UniversityEge UniversityEge University is a public university in İzmir, Turkey. It was founded in 1955 with the Faculties of Medicine and Faculty of Agriculture...
Radio-TV-Cinema Department, İzmir - Istanbul Bilgi UniversityIstanbul Bilgi UniversityIstanbul Bilgi University is a private, non-profit university in Istanbul, Turkey. It was actually established in 1994 under the name ISIS , but its name was changed to Istanbul Bilgi University with the foundation of the school on June 7, 1996...
Faculty of Communication, Film&TV Department, Istanbul - Istanbul UniversityIstanbul UniversityIstanbul University is a Turkish university located in Istanbul. The main campus is adjacent to Beyazıt Square.- Synopsis :A madrasa, a religious school, was established sometime in the 15th century after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. An institution of higher education named the...
Faculty of Communications, Department of Radio-Television and Cinema, Istanbul - Kadir Has UniversityKadir Has UniversityKadir Has University ' or as mostly preferred by its students ', was founded in 1997, in Istanbul. A private university, it has seven faculties, Engineering, Sciences and Humanities, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Communication, Law and Fine Arts, as well as its several vocational schools,...
Radio-TV-Cinema Department, İstanbul - Marmara UniversityMarmara UniversityMarmara University is a public university in Turkey. Situated in Istanbul, Marmara University has succeeded in becoming the second largest university in the whole country...
Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Cinema and Television, Istanbul - Mimar Sinan University of Fine ArtsMimar Sinan University of Fine ArtsMimar Sinan Fine Arts University is a Turkish state university dedicated to the higher education of fine arts. It is located in the Fındıklı neighborhood of İstanbul, Turkey.-History:...
Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Cinema and Television, Istanbul - Hacettepe UniversityHacettepe UniversityHacettepe University is a major state university in Ankara, Turkey.The University has two main campuses. The first is located in the old town of Ankara and hosts the Medical Centre, and the second is the Beytepe Campus, which is 13 km from the city centre...
Faculty of Communication, Department of Radio-Television and Cinema, Ankara - Yeditepe UniversityYeditepe UniversityYeditepe University is a foundation university situated in Istanbul, Turkey. Founded in 1996, Yeditepe University now claims to be the largest of the 27 foundation universities in Turkey....
Faculty of Communication, Radio-TV, Cinema Studies, Istanbul
Unions, foundations, professional organisations
- SINE-SEN—Turkey Cinema Worker's Union
- SESAM—Professional Union of Film Producers, Importers, Cinema-owners
- FIYAB—Association of Film Producers
- SODER—Cinema Actors' Association
- FILM YON—Film Directors' Union
- Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Film Makers' Professional Committee of Film Producers, Importers, Cinema Owners and Video Distributors.
- Turkish Film Council—Los Angeles based organization dedicated to bridging the Turkish film industry to Hollywood.
See also
- Cinema of the world
- World cinemaWorld cinemaWorld cinema is a term used primarily in English language speaking countries to refer to the films and film industries of non-English speaking countries. It is therefore often used interchangeably with the term foreign film...
- Asian cinemaAsian cinemaAsian cinema refers to the film industries and films produced in the continent of Asia, and is also sometimes known as Eastern cinema. More commonly however, it is used to refer to the cinema of Eastern, Southeastern and Southern Asia. West Asian cinema is sometimes classified as part of Middle...
- European cinema
Further reading
- Savaş Arslan: Cinema in Turkey: A New Critical History, Oxford University Press, 2011, ISBN13 9780195370065
- Gönül Dönmez-Colin: Turkish Cinema: Identity, Distance and Belonging, Reaktion Books, 2008, ISBN 1-86189-370-1
- Ekkehard Ellinger ; Kerem Kayi: Turkish cinema 1970 - 2007 : a bibliography and analysis, Frankfurt am Main [etc.]: Peter Lang, 2008, ISBN 978-3-631-56654-1