Rise of the Turkish Film Industry and Its Top Actors

The Turkish film industry has grown to become one of the most prominent film industries in the world, known for its versatile actresses, acclaimed directors, and visually stunning films that tackle contemporary social issues. Though relatively small compared to Hollywood, the Turkish cinema scene has steadily gained recognition at top international film festivals and awards ceremonies for its quality productions.

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A Brief History of Turkish Cinema

While filmmaking in Turkey began in the early 20th century, the industry did not gain major momentum until the 1950s and 1960s. During this post-war period, Turkey experienced fast economic growth and rapid urbanization, leading to the middle class expanding and commercial filmmaking thriving.

The First Golden Age

By the 1960s and 1970s, a talented group of Turkish filmmakers, screenwriters, composers and actors emerged, launching what is considered the “First Golden Age” of Turkish cinema. Directors like Metin Erksan and Yılmaz Güney began producing artistic and politically engaged films that made waves in Europe and put Turkish cinema on the global map.

The 1970s marked the rise of the Turkish melodrama genre focused on family, romance and drama. Acclaimed director Halit Refiğ created hit melodramas centering strong female lead characters, establishing Turkish cinema’s reputation for intriguing and complicated female roles. Other renowned directors of this golden era included Ertem Göreç, Memduh Ün, and İrfan Atasoy.

The Second Golden Age

After falling into decline in the 1980s, the Turkish film industry rose again like a phoenix in the late ‘90s kickstarting what has been dubbed its “Second Golden Age.” With decreased government censorship and increased private investment, Turkish filmmakers gained greater creative freedom to craft innovative films on provocative topics.

Well-trained actors and directors returning from abroad introduced new styles and production techniques. Films began winning top awards at foreign film festivals, including Cannes, Berlin, Venice and Toronto. Acclaimed “new wave” directors like Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Zeki Demirkubuz, and Semih Kaplanoğlu spearheaded this revival with their exploration of social issues and striking visual styles.

The 2000s and 2010s truly propelled Turkish films onto the global stage. As government funding increased and directors like Fatih Akın gained international acclaim, Turkish films enjoyed greater distribution worldwide. By 2019, the total number of Turkish films released annually soared to over 300.

The Rise of Turkey’s Big Screen Stars

In tandem with the growth of acclaimed directors came the meteoric rise of Turkey’s film stars. With unparalleled talent and breakout roles in critically praised movies, the following actors make up the crème de la crème of Turkish cinema:

Halit Ergenç

Popularly dubbed “The King of Turkish Cinema”, Halit Ergenç first took Turkish audiences by storm with hit TV dramas in the early 2000s. Lauded for his striking looks and intense acting style, he successfully transitioned to the silver screen with box office hits like Issız Adam (“Alone”) and Cenneti Beklerken (“Waiting for Heaven”).

With over 25 million followers across social media, Ergenç is one of Turkey’s biggest celebrities and was selected as the face of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2010.

Tuba Büyüküstün

Dubbed the “Queen of Turkish Cinema”, actress and former model Tuba Büyüküstün is celebrated for her versatility in portraying complex female characters. After her breakout role in the hit TV drama “Forbidden Love”, she made her stellar film debut in 2009’s Issız Adam as the hauntingly tragic ex-lover of Ergenç’s character.

Her later performances in standout films like Karanlığın Elli Tonu (“50 Shades of Darkness”) and Abluka (“Blockade”) were met with critical acclaim, cementing her reputation as one of Turkey’s great dramatic actresses.

Burak Özçivit

Rising to fame as a fashion model, Burak Özçivit developed a passion for acting and made his breakout performance in the 2011 TV series “Endless Song”. With his talent, dreamy good looks and genuine likeability, it’s no surprise why Özçivit’s fanbase exploded virtually overnight.

On the silver screen, Özçivit has taken on a variety of roles ranging from action hero in Çiçero to his emotional portrayal of legendary poet Rumi in the 2017 biopic Come, My Son. Özçivit also flexed his comedic skills starring in the 2020 Netflix release Love Tactics.

Engin Akyürek

Another former model turned sought-after actor, Engin Akyürek first gained attention playing the lead role in the hit series “Farewell Rumi” from 2008-2012. Lauded for his natural charisma and emotional range, Akyürek successfully transitioned to film with acclaimed performances in The International (2009), The Mountain II (2016), and The Gulf (2020).

In 2013, his role of Kemal in the rags-to-riches romance A Good Husband saw him nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Orange and Antalya Film Festival Awards. Ten years into his already stellar acting career, Engin Akyürek remains a much sought-after leading man on the silver screen.

The Global Reach and Rising Influence of Turkish Films

Building on a century-long film tradition yet breaking creative ground in today’s industry, Turkey’s cinematic renaissance shows no signs of slowing down. As Turkish films and actors garner greater visibility worldwide through international distribution deals and streaming platforms like Netflix, more and more global audiences are being drawn to the raw emotion, striking cinematography and cultural depth offered by Turkish cinema.

With increased overseas demand for Turkish TV series as well, the industry stands well-poised for further explosive growth. Buoyed by new directorial and acting talent plus solid investments, the future shines bright for Turkish filmmakers to craft ever more compelling stories for screens big and small, captivating viewers in Turkey and beyond.

Table of Contents

• A Brief History of Turkish Cinema
  • The First Golden Age
  • The Second Golden Age
• The Rise of Turkey’s Big Screen Stars
  • Halit Ergenç
  • Tuba Büyüküstün
  • Burak Özçivit
  • Engin Akyürek
• The Global Reach and Rising Influence of Turkish Films

Summary

From its beginnings in the early 1900s, the Turkish film industry has experienced explosive growth, especially within the last two decades. After a “First Golden Age” in the 1960s-70s when critically acclaimed directors like Yılmaz Güney put Turkish cinema on the map, the industry declined in the 80s before rebounding with a dynamic “Second Golden Age” starting in the late 1990s.

Led by visionary new wave directors and supported by increased private/public investments, Turkish films started gaining acclaim at top international film festivals. In tandem rose Turkey’s movie stars like Halit Ergenç, Tuba Büyüküstün, Burak Özçivit and Engin Akyürek, celebrated for their acting talent and model-level good looks.

Turkish cinema is currently enjoying unprecedented global visibility and industry growth. With ever more creative directors, gifted actors, overseas distribution and digital streaming options, Turkey’s rising cinematic influence seems poised to continue captivating audiences worldwide for years to come.

My Take

Having watched several remarkable Turkish films and TV shows on Netflix lately, I’m thoroughly impressed by the high quality of acting, writing and production value. While incorporating distinctly Turkish cultural elements, the stories explore universal themes and emotions in a moving, visually stunning way rarely matched in Western entertainment. As digital streaming opens up Turkish cinema to more global viewers, I suspect its emotional depth and technical mastery will only further capture international acclaim in the coming years. With so many diverse, complex roles for actresses as well, Turkish film and television seems ahead of the curve in showcasing female talent.

What Could Happen in the Next Episode?

As Turkish cinema continues gaining worldwide fans, a few possibilities in the industry’s future seem likely:

• More Turkish films/series getting international distribution deals with the likes of Netflix/Amazon
• Turkish actors gaining larger global followings and doing crossover projects abroad
• Increased international demand and investment in Turkish entertainment exports
• Turkish films expanding their dominance of domestic box offices over Hollywood imports
• More collaborations between Turkish and Western film industries
• The rising of new Turkish directors and actors winning acclaim in the global arena

I’m eager to see how the careers of stars like Halit Ergenç and Tuba Büyüküstün progress on screens both big and small. With no shortage of acting firepower, directorial vision and cultural richness to draw upon, I fully expect to see Turkish cinema’s stories and technical mastery charming many more viewers worldwide.

FAQs

Q: When did the Turkish film industry first develop?

A: Turkish cinema dates back to the early 20th century, but did not flourish as a major commercial industry until the post-war economic boom of the 1950s/60s.

Q: Who were some key directors of Turkish cinema’s “First Golden Age”?

A: Acclaimed directors who spearheaded this dynamic era in the 1960s-70s included Metin Erksan, Yılmaz Güney, Halit Refiğ, Ertem Göreç, Memduh Ün and İrfan Atasoy.

Q: How did the Turkish film industry rebound after its 1980s decline?

A: With decreased government censorship, increased investments, and filmmakers returning from abroad in the late 1990s, Turkish cinema kicked off an explosive revival period dubbed its “Second Golden Age”.

Q: Who are some contemporary star directors leading the Turkish film scene?

A: Renowned contemporary directors include Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Zeki Demirkubuz, Semih Kaplanoğlu and Fatih Akın.

Q: Which famous Turkish actor is known as the “King of Cinema” in Turkey?

A: Halit Ergenç reigns as one of Turkey’s most popular actors with over 25 million followers, acclaimed for hit movies like Issız Adam (“Alone”).

Q: Why is Tuba Büyüküstün considered the “Queen of Turkish Cinema”?

A: Lauded for her versatility in complex roles, her critically praised performances in films like Issız Adam and Abluka (“Blockade”) cemented her reputation as one of Turkey’s great dramatic actresses.

Q: How did Burak Özçivit rise to fame before his acting career?

A: Özçivit first gained attention as a successful fashion model in Turkey, but developed a passion for acting and made his breakout performance in the 2011 hit TV show “Endless Song”.

Q: What was Engin Akyürek’s breakout hit TV series?

A: Akyürek first gained widespread fame playing the lead role in the popular Turkish series “Farewell Rumi” from 2008-2012.

Q: Why does the future look bright for continued growth of Turkish cinema?

A: Key factors suggesting a strong future trajectory include: new directorial/acting talent, increased government/private investments, overseas distribution deals with streaming platforms like Netflix, and growing international demand.