Turkish movies are an art form that has deep roots in the country’s history and culture.With a cinematic tradition dating back to the early 20th century, Turkey was one of the first countries outside the West to adopt and promote cinema as a medium of artistic expression and storytelling, leaving his mark in the history of cinema with several masterpieces.
One of the first Turkish movies was “Ayastefanos’taki Rus Abidesinin Yıkılışı” (The Fall of the Russian Empire in Ayastefanos), made in 1914, shortly after the start of the First World War. This film marked the beginning of a long tradition of Turkish cinema that has continued to the present day. Many early Turkish movies addressed historical and political themes, which reflected the Turkish public’s interest and passion for events of the past and present.
The golden age of Turkish cinema was in the 1960s and 1970s, when many highly successful movies were produced. During this period, Turkish cinema embraced a variety of genres, including drama, comedy, and musical. “Hababam Sınıfı” (Hababam’s Class) is a 1975 film that represents one of the highlights of this period. The film tells the story of a class of mischievous students who defy the rules of the school and their teachers. “Selvi Boylum Al Yazmalım” (The Girl with the Red Scarf), another 1977 film, is a romantic drama that tells the story of a young couple trying to overcome the difficulties of everyday life.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Turkish cinema faced a number of challenges, including increasing competition with foreign movies and changes in technology and consumer trends. Despite these challenges, Turkish cinema has continued to produce a number of successful movies, including 1996’s “Eşkıya” (The Bandit) and “G.O.R.A.” of 2004.
In recent years, Turkish cinema has seen a renaissance, with a new generation of directors establishing themselves on the international scene. Movies such as 2005’s “Babam ve Oğlum” (My Father and My Son) and 2017’s “Ayla” have received widespread praise both in Turkey and abroad.
Turkish cinema is a rich and diverse art form that has a long history and great influence on Turkish culture. Since its inception in 1914, Turkish cinema has gone through many phases and generations of filmmakers, but has always continued to produce films of great artistic and narrative value. With a cinematic tradition that has been strongly influenced by Turkey’s history and culture, Turkish cinema continues to be an important vehicle of expression for Turkish society.
Turkish Directors
The history of Turkish cinema has been enriched by a number of talented directors, some of whom have left an indelible mark on the country’s cinematic landscape. Among the most important Turkish directors are:
Muhsin Ertuğrul: One of the pioneers of Turkish cinema, Ertuğrul is considered the founder of modern Turkish theater and the first Turkish director. He founded the first Turkish movie school in 1936.
Lütfi Ömer Akad: A pioneer of Turkish cinema, Akad made films in several genres, including drama, comedy and thriller. He is known for his realistic style and ability to tell compelling stories.
Atıf Yılmaz: A versatile director, Yılmaz has directed over 120 films throughout his career. He is known for introducing new storytelling styles and tackling social and political issues.
Yılmaz Güney: Actor and director, Güney was an influential figure in Turkish cinema of the 1970s and 1980s, directing films that tackled social and political themes and won international awards.
Nuri Bilge Ceylan: One of the most internationally acclaimed directors, Ceylan has won several prestigious awards, including the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. His films often reflect on the conditions of contemporary Turkish society and human nature, with a depth and attention to detail that make them unique.
Semih Kaplanoğlu: Director known for his unique visual style and attention to detail. His films have received widespread praise from international critics.
Besides these, there are many other Turkish directors who have made important contributions to cinema, such as Metin Erksan, Tevfik Fikret Uçak and Zeki Demirkubuz. Turkish cinema is constantly evolving and new talents emerge every year, helping to make this cinematography one of the most interesting and vibrant on the international scene.
G.O.R.A. (2004)
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Director: Ömer Faruk Sorak
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Cem Yılmaz, Özge Özberk, Rasim Öztekin
Plot: “G.O.R.A.” is a Turkish comedy that follows the story of a man named Arif, played by Cem Yılmaz, who is abducted by aliens and taken to a planet called G.O.R.A. There, Arif meets a series of bizarre characters and must face a series of challenges as he tries to return to Earth. The film is an ironic parody of science fiction movies and focuses on themes of alienation, identity and diversity.
Welcome: “G.O.R.A.” was well received by Turkish audiences and critics, who appreciated its entertaining narrative and Ömer Faruk Sorak’s direction. The film also achieved good success at the box office and helped consolidate Cem Yılmaz’s popularity as one of Turkey’s most popular comedians.
My Father and My Son (2005)
Genre: Drama, Family
Director: Cagan Irmak
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Çetin Tekindor, Fikret Kuskan, Hümeyra Akbay
Plot: “Babam ve Oğlum” is a touching story of a Turkish family during the turbulent events of the 1970s in Turkey. The film follows the life of Sadık, a family man, and his son Deniz. Sadık has always had a tense relationship with his father Huseyin, but when he discovers that his son Deniz has a serious illness, he tries to reconcile with his father and overcome their old conflicts.
Reception: The film received praise from critics and audiences for its touching performances and engaging narrative. It won numerous awards, including the Golden Orange Award for Best Film at the Antalya Film Festival in 2005. Director Çağan Irmak was praised for his work and “Babam ve Oğlum” became one of the most acclaimed Turkish movies of the 2000s.
Magic Carpet Ride (2005)
Genre: Comedy, Adventure
Director: Yılmaz Erdoğan
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Yılmaz Erdoğan, Tolga Çevik, Cem Yılmaz
Plot: “Magic Carpet Ride” is a Turkish comedy that follows the adventures of three friends, Zafer, Sinan and Gökhan, who decide to take a trip to Morocco after one of them inherits a magic carpet. During their journey, they face a series of unexpected and bizarre situations, which lead them to come to terms with their lives and their relationships.
Reception: The film achieved good success at the box office in Turkey and received mixed reviews from critics. Although some praised the humor and originality of the plot, others criticized the lack of cohesion in the narrative and the reliance on comedic clichés. However, “Magic Carpet Ride” became a cult hit in Turkish movie culture and helped solidify Yılmaz Erdoğan’s reputation as one of the country’s leading comedians and directors.
For Love and Honor (2007)
Genre: Drama, Romance, Crime
Director: Ömer Vargı
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Şener Şen, İsmail Hacıoğlu, Aslı Tandoğan
Plot: “Kabadayı” is a Turkish romantic drama film that follows the story of a famous gangster named Hacı, played by Şener Şen, who tries to change his life and redeem himself after the death of his son. While trying to rebuild an honest life, Hacı is involved in a series of events that test his loyalty, his morality and his courage. The film explores themes of love, honor, forgiveness and redemption, and offers a glimpse into the life of a criminal faced with the possibility of change.
Reception: “Kabadayı” received praise from critics and audiences for the performances of the lead actors, especially that of Şener Şen as Hacı. The film did well at the box office and received positive reviews for its engaging narrative and intense atmosphere. It won Best Film and Best Director at the 2007 Antalya Film Festival and consolidated Şener Şen’s position as one of the best Turkish actors of his time.
Alone (2008)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Director: Cagan Irmak
Country of origin: Türkiye
Cast: Melis Birkan, Çetin Tekindor
Plot: “Issiz adam” is a romantic film that follows the story of Alper, a film director, who lives a lonely life after the death of his beloved daughter. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Ada, a young woman photographer. Despite their differences, the two develop a romantic relationship that helps them overcome grief and loneliness.
Reception: The film received critical praise for the performances of the lead actors and the soundtrack. It won Best Film and Best Actor at the 2008 Antalya Film Festival and was successful at the box office.
A.R.O.G (2008)
Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Science Fiction
Director: Cem Yılmaz, Ali Taner Baltacı
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Cem Yılmaz, Özge Özberk, Özkan Uğur
Plot: “A.R.O.G” is the sequel to the popular Turkish movie “G.O.R.A.” and tells the story of Arif, played by Cem Yılmaz, a man who is transported to the future by an alien who wants to force him to carry out a difficult task: find the man hiding behind a superhero mask. In his search, Arif meets bizarre characters and must pass a series of tests to complete his mission and return home.
Reception: The film was received positively by critics and audiences, who appreciated its entertaining narrative and the actors’ performances. “A.R.O.G” was moderately successful at the box office and helped solidify Cem Yılmaz’s popularity as one of Turkey’s most popular comedians.
Recep Ivedik (2008)
Genre: Comedy
Director: Togan Gökbakar
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Şahan Gökbakar, İclal Aydın, Mustafa Topaloğlu
Plot: “Recep Ivedik” is a Turkish comedy that follows the adventures of a man named Recep Ivedik, played by Şahan Gökbakar, who is an unemployed young man living with his grandmother. After a series of unfortunate events, Recep decides to travel to the province to try to change his life. The film explores his wacky encounters and comical situations he faces during his journey.
Reception: The film was a major box office success in Turkey and spawned several sequels. It received mixed reviews from critics, who appreciated the physical humor and Recep’s character, but criticized some of the gags for their lack of originality. “Recep Ivedik” became an icon of Turkish popular culture and solidified Şahan Gökbakar’s reputation as one of the country’s leading comedians.
Three Monkeys (2008)
Genre: Drama
Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Country of origin: Türkiye, France, Italy
Cast: Yavuz Bingöl, Hatice Aslan, Ercan Kesal
Plot: This film tells the story of a Turkish family whose life is turned upside down when the father, Eyüp, is arrested due to a car accident in which his teenage son is involved. The mother, Hacer, accepts the money the local politician offers her in exchange for silence, but the situation becomes increasingly complicated when Eyüp is released and the truth begins to emerge.
Reception: “Three Monkeys” was received positively by critics, who praised Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s direction and the actors’ performances. The film won the Best Director award at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.
Yahsi Bati (2009)
Genre: Comedy, Western
Director: Ömer Faruk Sorak
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Cem Yılmaz, Ozan Güven, Zafer Algöz
Plot: “Yahşi Batı” is a Turkish comedy set in the era of the American Old West. The story follows the adventures of Aziz Vefa, played by Cem Yılmaz, a taxi driver from Istanbul who finds himself living a life of adventure and adventures in America. Together with his friend Lemi Galip, played by Ozan Güven, Aziz must face a series of challenges and obstacles, including bandits, gangsters and corrupt sheriffs, as he tries to realize his dream of becoming a cowboy.
Reception: The film was moderately successful at the box office and received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised its humor and its attempt to revisit the western genre in a comedic way, while others criticized it for its lack of originality and its disjointed narrative. However, “Yahşi Batı” helped solidify Cem Yılmaz’s reputation as one of Turkey’s leading comedians and renewed interest in the Western genre in Turkish cinema.
Hunting Season (2010)
Genre: Action, Thriller
Director: Yavuz Turgul
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Şener Şen, Cem Yılmaz, Çetin Tekindor
Plot: “Av Mevsimi” is a Turkish action film that follows the story of a former mercenary named Bahar, played by Şener Şen, who decides to retire after being involved in a shootout that left many innocent people dead . However, Bahar becomes involved in a series of events that lead him to confront his past and seek revenge against those who caused the tragedy.
Reception: The film received praise for the performances of the lead actors and its engaging narrative. It also achieved good success at the box office and received positive reviews from critics, who appreciated Yavuz Turgul’s direction and his work in creating a gripping and suspenseful plot.
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Crime
Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Country of origin: Türkiye, Bosnia Herzegovina
Cast: Muhammet Uzuner, Yılmaz Erdoğan, Taner Birsel
Plot: A group of men, including a forensic doctor, a prosecutor, a driver and some policemen, are looking for the body of a man who was killed in Anatolia. During the search, the characters’ thoughts and emotions emerge, revealing their darkest and most vulnerable sides.
Reception: The film was well received by international critics, who praised Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s direction and his ability to capture the atmosphere of the Turkish countryside. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
Conquest 1453 (2012)
Genre: Drama, History, War
Director: Faruk Aksoy
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Devrim Evin, İbrahim Çelikkol, Dilek Serbest
Plot: “Fetih 1453” is a historical film that tells the story of the fall of Constantinople in the year 1453. The film focuses on the life of Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror, and his strategies to conquer the city. The film also shows the point of view of the defenders of Constantinople and their struggles to protect the city from the Ottoman forces. The plot is enriched by subplots that explore the personal relationships and challenges faced by the characters.
Reception: “Fetih 1453” was received positively by Turkish critics, who praised the actors’ performances, Faruk Aksoy’s direction and the film’s historical fidelity. However, the film received criticism for its portrayal of non-Muslims and Greeks. Despite this, “Fetih 1453” was a major box office success in Turkey and helped renew interest in Ottoman history in the country.
The Mountain (2012)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Director: Alper Çağlar
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Cemal Toktaş, Serra Yılmaz, Arif Erkin
Plot: The film follows the story of a young man, Halil, who lives in a remote village and has a secret love for a young woman, Cemile. However, Cemile’s father does not approve of the relationship and forbids Halil from seeing his daughter. Halil then decides to join the army to try to forget Cemile, but circumstances will lead him to return home and face his past.
Reception: The film received praise for its cinematography and its depiction of Turkey’s mountainous landscape, but also received criticism for its predictable plot and stereotypical characters. However, the film was appreciated for its performances and its emotional atmosphere.
Water and Fire (2013)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Director: Özcan Deniz
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Özcan Deniz, Yasemin Allen, Kaan Çakır
Plot: The film tells the story of an impossible love between a young woman, Aska, and a young man, Korhan, belonging to two rival families. The two families have been in conflict for generations and do not see eye to eye on the relationship between their children. However, Aska and Korhan decide to defy tradition and pursue their love, hoping to find a way to overcome their differences.
Reception: The film received mixed reviews from critics and the film met with divergent opinions among audiences. While some appreciated the love story and the actors’ performances, others criticized the obvious plot and lack of originality. However, the film was quite successful at the box office.
The Butterfly’s Dream (2013)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Director: Yılmaz Erdoğan
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, Mert Fırat, Belçim Bilgin
Plot: “Kelebeğin Rüyası” is a turkish movie that tells the true story of two young poets, Rüştü Onur and Muzaffer Tayyip Uslu, who try to realize their dreams despite the difficulties and adversities of life during World War II. The film explores their relationships with the world around them, their loves and their hopes, and offers an intimate look at the cultural and political life of Turkey at the time.
Reception: The film received critical praise for its engaging narrative and the performances of the lead actors. It won numerous awards, including the Golden Orange Award for Best Film and Best Director at the 2013 Antalya Film Festival. “Kelebeğin Rüyası” was also well received by audiences and had good success at the box office.
Celal and Ceren (2013)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Director: Togan Gökbakar
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Şahan Gökbakar, Ezgi Mola, Orçun İynemli
Plot: “Celal ile Ceren” is a Turkish romantic comedy that follows the story of a man named Celal, played by Şahan Gökbakar, who is in love with a woman named Ceren, played by Ezgi Mola. However, Celal is clumsy and clumsy, and his actions often cause more problems than solutions. The film explores his adventures as he tries to prove his love for Ceren and overcome the difficulties of everyday life.
Reception: The film was positively received by critics and Turkish audiences, who appreciated its entertaining narrative and the performances of the main actors. “Celal ile Ceren” achieved good success at the box office and received praise for its original humor and its ability to capture the essence of human relationships.
Government Woman 2 (2013)
Genre: Comedy
Director: Sarmiyan Midyat
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Demet Akbağ, Sermiyan Midyat, Mahir İpek
Plot: “Hükümet Kadın 2” is the sequel to the popular Turkish movie “Hükümet Kadın”. The story continues to follow the adventures of Xate, a village woman who becomes mayor of her town after the sudden death of her husband. In the second film, Xate faces new challenges and obstacles as he tries to manage his personal and political life. The comedy addresses issues of politics, family and cultural identity with an ironic and light-hearted look.
Reception: The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. While some praised its humor and the actors’ performances, others criticized the lack of originality and the repetition of gags from the first film. However, “Hükümet Kadın 2” was moderately successful at the box office and retained its place as one of Turkey’s most popular comedies.
Siccin (2014)
Genere: Horror, Thriller
Director: Alper Mestçi
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Bulut Akkale, Efsun Akkurt, Cem Uçan
Plot: “Siccîn” is a Turkish horror film that follows the story of a man who finds himself involved in a series of supernatural events. After suffering a personal tragedy, the protagonist, played by Bulut Akkale, turns to an imam for help, but ends up getting caught up in a situation beyond his understanding. The film explores themes of demonic possession and supernatural revenge.
Reception: The film did well at the box office and received praise for its tense atmosphere and the actors’ performances. It also received positive reviews from critics, who appreciated Alper Mestçi’s direction and his ability to create a sense of tension and terror. However, the film received some criticism for its use of predictable horror tricks.
Only You (2014)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Director: Hakan Yonat
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Belçim Bilgin, Ibrahim Celikkol, Kerem Can
Plot: “Sadece Sen” is a romantic film that tells the story of a young woman named Ali, played by Belçim Bilgin, who has a tragic story and has lost her family. Working as a housekeeper, she meets a former boxer named Memo, played by Ibrahim Celikkol, who is blind. Memo tries to help Ali overcome his past and open up to love and happiness, but their relationship is tested by life’s challenges.
Reception: “Sadece Sen” received praise for the actors’ performances and its emotional narrative. The film was a good success at the box office and received positive reviews from critics, who praised Hakan Yonat’s direction and the actors’ work.
Whisper if I forget (Unutursam Fisilda, 2014)
Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance
Director: Cagan Irmak
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Farah Zeynep Abdullah, Mehmet Günsür, Kerem Bursin
Plot: “Unutursam Fisilda” is a Turkish romantic film that follows the story of a young woman named Fusun, played by Farah Zeynep Abdullah, who works as a seamstress in an Istanbul shop in the 1970s. Fusun meets a young musician named Tarik, played by Mehmet Günsür, and falls in love with him. However, their relationship is threatened by the war in Cyprus and the political conflicts of the time. The film explores themes of love, loss and hope, and offers a glimpse into everyday life in Turkey in the 1970s.
Reception: “Unutursam Fisilda” was positively received by critics and the Turkish public, who appreciated Çağan Irmak’s direction and the actors’ performances. The film performed well at the box office and received positive reviews for its emotional narrative and its engaging soundtrack, which included popular songs from the 1970s.
Winter Sleep (2014)
Drama
Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Country of origin: Türkiye, France, Germany
Cast: Haluk Bilginer, Melisa Sözen, Demet Akbag
Plot: Aydın is a former theater actor who runs a hotel in a mountainous region of Turkey. His quiet life is called into question when his wife and sister turn against him, while his financial debts begin to weigh on his conscience.
Reception: The film received positive reception from critics, with praise for Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s direction and the actors’ performances. It won the Palme d’Or at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
Mustang (2015)
Drama
Director: Deniz Gamze Ergüven
Country of Origin: Türkiye, France, Germany
Cast: Güneş Nezihe Şensoy, Doğa Zeynep Doğuşlu, Elit İşcan
Plot: “Mustang” is a Turkish-French-German film that tells the story of five teenage sisters, Lale, Nur, Selma, Ece and Sonay, who live in a conservative Turkish village. After being seen playing in the water with some boys from school, they are forced into marriage and begin to be considered married and trapped in their home. The girls try to escape the fate that seems to be forced upon them, and must learn to navigate their new reality while trying to preserve their freedom and friendship with each other.
Reception: “Mustang” was received positively by international critics, who praised Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s direction and the performances of the young actresses. The film won numerous awards, including the 2015 European Parliament Film Lux Prize and the Best First Film Award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. It achieved moderate success at the box office and helped raise awareness on the issue of freedom of women in Turkey.
What’s Left of You Senden Bana Kalan (2015)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Director: Osman Sinav
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Şükrü Özyıldız, Hande Doğandemir, Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan
Plot: Senden Bana Kalan is a romantic and heartwarming love story, which follows the intersecting lives of a man suffering from a terminal illness and a woman who has lost her fiancé. As they try to move forward with their lives, they find themselves sharing a special connection and finding comfort in each other.
Reception: The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences for the performances of the lead actors and its emotional narrative. It achieved moderate success at the box office and helped solidify Osman Sinav’s reputation as one of Turkey’s leading directors.
The Mountain II (2016)
The Mountain II (2016)
Genre: Action, Drama, War
Director: Alper Çağlar
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Özgür Eren Koç, Murat Arkin, Ahu Türkpençe
Plot: “The Mountain II” is a Turkish movie that follows a group of Turkish soldiers during Operation Fırat Kalkanı in Syria. The film explores their lives and relationships as they face the hardships of war and try to survive in a hostile environment.
Reception: The film was well received by Turkish audiences and achieved moderate success at the box office. Critics praised its engaging narrative and the performances of the lead actors. However, some criticism has highlighted some similarities to other war movies and raised questions about the film’s treatment of war and violence.
My Mother’s Wound (2016)
Genre: Biographical, Drama
Director: Ozan Açıktan
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Çetin Tekindor, Hülya Avşar, Bülent Emin Yarar
Plot: “Annemin Yarası” is a biopic that tells the story of Yıldız, played by Hülya Avşar, a woman who lives a difficult and painful life. The film follows his life, from his childhood in a small village to his adult life in Istanbul, and explores his experiences, sacrifices and struggles. The film also explores the complex relationship between Yıldız and his mother, played by Çetin Tekindor, and their experiences with domestic violence, gender discrimination and the struggle for survival.
Reception: “Annemin Yarası” received positive reviews from critics and Turkish audiences, who appreciated Ozan Açıktan’s direction and the performances of the main actors. The film achieved moderate success at the box office and helped raise public awareness about domestic violence and gender discrimination in Turkey.
Ayla – The Unnamed Daughter (2017)
Genre: Biography, Drama, War
Director: Can Ulkay
Country of Origin: Türkiye, South Korea
Cast: İsmail Hacıoğlu, Çetin Tekindor, Kim Seol
Plot: “Ayla: The Daughter of War” is a film based on a true story that tells the story of Süleyman Dilbirliği, a Turkish soldier during the Korean War who adopts a Korean orphan girl named Ayla. The film follows the lives of Süleyman and Ayla, from their first meeting during the war to their separation after Süleyman’s return to Turkey. The film explores their special relationship, their loyalty to each other, and the difficulties they face due to their cultural differences and the war.
Reception: “Ayla: The Daughter of War” received praise from critics and audiences for its emotional narrative and actors’ performances. The film achieved moderate success at the box office and received numerous awards, including the Best Film award at the 2017 Antalya Film Festival and the Best Foreign Film award at the 2018 Critics’ Choice Awards. It helped raise awareness the story of Süleyman Dilbirliği and Ayla in Turkey and South Korea, and renewed interest in the history of the Korean War.
Between the Family (2017)
Genre: Comedy
Director: Ozan Açıktan
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Engin Günaydın, Demet Evgar, Erdal Özyağcılar
Plot: “Aile Arasında” is a Turkish comedy that tells the story of a dysfunctional family consisting of a widowed father, Necmi, played by Engin Günaydın, and three adult children, Nazım, Emre and Seçil. The family is in crisis and the children live in constant tension with their father, who considers them immature bachelors and incapable of managing their lives. When Necmi has a heart attack, the children are forced to band together and work together to address their differences and care for their elderly parent.
Reception: “Aile Arasında” received praise for the performances of the lead actors and its entertaining narrative. The film did well at the box office and helped solidify Engin Günaydın’s reputation as one of Turkey’s best comedic actors. It also received positive reviews from critics, who appreciated Ozan Açıktan’s direction and his ability to create an engaging and entertaining family comedy.
Time for Happiness (2017)
Time for Happiness (2017)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Director: Senol Sonmez
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Elçin Sangu, Barış Arduç
Plot: Mutluluk Zamani follows the story of a girl named Defne, who is about to get married and has no clue who her father is. The choice of man for the bride will fall on a man from the mother’s past. Love and passion, a generational clash that will have a romantic date as its detonator.
Reception: The film received positive reviews from critics and Turkish audiences. The film received good success at the box office and is considered one of the most popular romantic comedies in recent years in Turkey.
Bold Pilot: Legend of a Champion (2018)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Director: Ahmet Katıksız
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Main Author: Farah Zeynep Abdullah, Ekin Koç, Fikret Kuskan
Plot: “Bizim Için Şampiyon” is a romantic film that follows the story of a young horse breeder named Ali, played by Ekin Koç, who falls in love with a young primary school teacher named Naz, played by Farah Zeynep Abdullah. The film explores their relationship and the challenges they face due to their social differences and the disapproval of Ali’s family.
Reception: The film was positively received by critics and the Turkish public, who appreciated Ahmet Katıksız’s direction and the performances of the main actors. “Bizim Için Şampiyon” achieved moderate success at the box office and received positive reviews for its romantic and engaging narrative.
Hadi Be Oglum (2018)
Drama
Director: Bora Egemen
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, Büşra Develi, Alihan Türkdemir
Plot: “Hadi Be Oğlum” is a Turkish drama film that follows the story of Ali, played by Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, a man who has had a difficult life and tries to reconcile with his son, Deniz, played by Büşra Develi. Deniz, a rebellious teenager, tries to distance himself from his father, but the two find themselves sharing a difficult life after a tragedy. The film explores the complicated relationship between father and son, their attempts to communicate and overcome grief.
Reception: “Hadi Be Oğlum” received praise for the performances of the lead actors and its emotional narrative. The film was moderately successful at the box office and received positive reviews from Turkish critics, who appreciated Bora Egemen’s direction and his work in creating an intense and engaging drama.
Arif V 216 (2018)
Arif V 216 (2018)
Genre: Comedy, Science Fiction
Director: Kıvanç Baruönü
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Cem Yılmaz, Ozan Güven, Seda Bakan
Plot: “Arif V 216” is a Turkish science fiction and comedy film that follows the story of Arif, played by Cem Yılmaz, an ordinary man who works in a diner. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets an android named 216, who involves him in a series of space adventures. Arif and 216 find themselves traveling through time and space, facing a variety of obstacles and enemies as they try to save the world from an alien threat.
Reception: “Arif V 216” received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Some praised its humor and original storytelling, while others criticized it for its lack of coherence and confusing narrative. However, the film achieved moderate success at the box office and helped solidify Cem Yılmaz’s reputation as one of Turkey’s leading comedians.
The Wild Pear Tree (2018)
Drama
Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Country of origin: Türkiye, France, Germany, Bulgaria, Sweden
Cast: Doğu Demirkol, Murat Cemcir, Bennu Yıldırımlar
Plot: The film tells the story of Sinan, a young teacher passionate about writing who returns to his home village to seek funding for his novel. As he struggles with his family and community, Sinan tries to find his voice and place in the world.
Reception: “The Wild Pear Tree” received praise from critics, who praised Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s direction and the actors’ performances. The film won the Best Screenplay award at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2019)
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Director: Mehmet Ada Öztekin
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Aras Bulut İynemli, Nisa Sofiya Aksongur, Deniz Baysal
Plot: “Miracle in Cell Number 7” is a film that tells the touching story of a man named Memo, played by Aras Bulut İynemli, who is wrongly accused of a crime he did not commit. While in prison, he befriends his cellmates and forms a special bond with a little girl named Ova, played by Nisa Sofiya Aksongur, who comes to visit her father in prison. Memo and Ova form an unexpected family and help each other overcome the difficulties of prison life and fight for the truth.
Reception: The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences, who appreciated its emotional narrative and the performances of the actors, especially that of Nisa Sofiya Aksongur. “Miracle in Cell 7” achieved great success at the box office and received numerous awards, including the Best Film award at the 2019 Antalya Film Festival and the Best Foreign Film award at the 2020 Critics’ Choice Awards.
Pocket Hercules: Naim Süleymanoğlu (2019)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sports
Director: Özer Feyzioglu
Country of Origin: Türkiye
Cast: Hayat Van Eck, Selen Öztürk, Yetkin Dikinciler
Plot: “Cep Herkülü: Naim Süleymanoğlu” is a biopic that tells the true story of Naim Süleymanoğlu, a famous Turkish weightlifter also known as “Pocket Hercules” for his extraordinary strength and compact size. The film follows Naim’s life from his difficult childhood in rural Turkey to his rise to fame and success as an Olympic and world champion. The narrative explores Naim’s sacrifices, challenges and triumphs, and offers a glimpse into the history of Turkish weightlifting and sport.
Reception: The film was positively received by critics and Turkish audiences, who appreciated Özer Feyzioglu’s direction and Hayat Van Eck’s performance in the role of Naim Süleymanoğlu. “Cep Herkülü: Naim Süleymanoğlu” achieved good success at the box office and helped renew interest in the history of weightlifting in Turkey.
On Dry Herbs (2023)
Drama
Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Country of origin: Türkiye, France, Germany, Sweden
Cast: Deniz Celiloğlu, Merve Dizdar, Musab Ekici Trama:
Plot: Samet, a middle-aged man, runs a small hotel in a provincial Turkish town. His life is monotonous and lonely, until he meets Nuray, a divorced woman with a young son. An attraction arises between the two, but their relationship is hindered by social and cultural differences.
Reception: The film was presented in competition at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, where it received the FIPRESCI award. It was received positively by critics, who praised Ceylan’s direction and the actors’ performances.
