Ertem Eğilmez
Directing
Biography
Ertem Eğilmez was born on February 18, 1929, in Trabzon. He is a legendary director, producer, and screenwriter who changed the course of Turkish cinema, leaving his mark on Yeşilçam (the Turkish film industry) with his "Arzu Film school," and captivating millions with films that both amused and moved audiences to tears. After graduating from Istanbul University's Faculty of Economics, Eğilmez worked in various trades, including running a grocery store. His entry into the art world began in 1954 with the founding of Çağlayan Publishing House with Refik Erduran. Here, he introduced innovation to the publishing world by printing Türkiye's first popular pocket books. His passion for cinema led him to producing with the film "Avare Mustafa" in 1961 and directing with "Fatoş'un Fendi Tayfur'u Yendi" in 1964. However, the real step that would make Ertem Eğilmez a legend was the founding of Arzu Film with Nahit Ataman in 1964. Arzu Film quickly became one of the most important production companies in Turkish cinema. Especially in the 1970s, Eğilmez created a "cinema family" with a loyal cast of actors around him. Names like Münir Özkul, Adile Naşit, Kemal Sunal, Tarık Akan, Halit Akçatepe, Şener Şen, Ayşen Gruda, Zeki Alasya, and Metin Akpınar became the cornerstones of this family. Eğilmez's directorial genius lay in his ability to skillfully manage large casts and tell warm and sincere stories that resonated with the audience. His films often explored themes of "we," family ties, friendship, and neighborhood culture. He achieved great success with films like "Senede Bir Gün," "Sev Kardeşim," and "Tatlı Dillim." In "Köyden İndim Şehire" and "Salak Milyoner," he combined social satire with comedy. "Mavi Boncuk" depicted the solidarity of a group of friends, while "Bizim Aile" and "Neşeli Günler" portrayed the bittersweet challenges of being a family. With "Canım Kardeşim," he created one of the most poignant dramas in Turkish cinema history. However, his most important project, which immortalized him, was undoubtedly the "Hababam Sınıfı" series, adapted from the work of Rıfat Ilgaz. The films he directed, "Hababam Sınıfı" (The Mischievous Class), "Hababam Sınıfı Sınıfta Kaldı" (The Mischievous Class Failed), and "Hababam Sınıfı Uyanıyor" (The Mischievous Class Awakens), went down in history not only as a comedy series but also as a critique of society and a parody of the education system. These films have become cult classics, watched repeatedly by audiences of all ages even today. Although he took a break from cinema for a while in the 1980s, he made a magnificent farewell with his last film, "Arabesk," in 1988. This film, a musical comedy that satirized the arabesque culture and Yeşilçam clichés of the time, achieved great box office success. Battled with cancer, Ertem Eğilmez passed away in Istanbul on September 21, 1989, at the age of 60. With dozens of unforgettable films, the warm and sincere atmosphere he created, and the countless stars he brought to Turkish cinema, he will always be remembered with respect and affection, not only as a director but also as a people's artist who could read the hearts of his audience.
Known For
Clumsy soldiers Şaban and Ramazan fall for a singer-dancer and accidentally become secret policemen tracking down a missing diamond.
Saban, Son of Saban
A young and beautiful female teacher starts working in an all boys high school.
The Chaos Class Failed the Class
A sincere and hardworking student joins the Chaos Class, but acceptance seems unlikely when he becomes the target of their pranks.
The Chaos Class Is Waking Up
A couple who dreamed of having a son had five daughters in a row. When girls reach the age of marriage, there are moments that make them laugh and sometimes make them sad.
Smiling Eyes
Bilo is a goodhearted man who wants to marry the cutest girl in the village but needs money to take the consent from her father. His best friend Mahmut offers him a way to go to Germany and work in a factory to save up the money he needs.
Bilo the Banker
Saban, Ramazan and Bayram are sailors in an Ottoman Navy and Hüsamettin is their commander. Hüsamettin's aide Ramazan, Saban who is foster son of Hüsamettin's sister and Bayram who is married to Hüsamettin's niece stays at Hüsamettin's family residence. Hüsamettin's sister thinks Ramazan is her foster son Saban when she realizes her mistake she introduces Ramazan to her brother as her son in law Bayram since she was afraid of Hüsamettin's short-tempered character. Things get complicated when real Saban and Bayram come to the residence. Now Saban has to be Ramazan and Bayram has to be Saban. Meanwhile, a gulyabani (a ghoul from Turkish folklore) haunts the residence.
The Foster Brothers
A group of affluent private school slackers enjoy a prankster lifestyle until a tough new disciplinarian headmaster arrives.
The Chaos Class
Three boys are having their higher education in Istanbul. In fact, they are messing around and dealing with radical politics, girls and gamble. However, the oldest discovers love, and the three realize it is time for change.
Oh Where
Istanbul is under enemy occupation. A group of nationalists from Istanbul try to support the liberation movement in Anatolia. Kemal, who had previously lived in England for a while, is assigned to gather intelligence. Kemal replaces a British officer who has just been appointed to Istanbul. While spying, he falls in love with Elizabeth, the daughter of a British general he meets.
İngiliz Kemal
Sener and Müjde, who can never come together because of endless obstacles and misunderstandings, slowly drift into the plaintive world of arabesque music.
Arabesque
Years after a divorce divides their family in half, six siblings encounter each other by chance and try to get their parents back together.
Neşeli Günler
A shy introvert falls for the photographer who took her pictures during high school. Confused and worried, she doubts that love will elapse and can never open up to her lover. Yet she cannot runaway from love.
You're Crazy
A love story between a poor man and a rich girl. The rich girl's father tries to prevent their marriage and he declares a war against the poor boy's family.
Our Family
A young girl comes to an embittered town and confronts its attitude with her determination to see the best in life.
Life is Beautiful When You Are in Love
Two poor men try to find a television as a last wish for the terminally ill brother of one of them.
My Dear Brother
A group of young people living a luxurious life in Istanbul go to a village for a rafting adventure on the Euphrates.
The River
When an incorruptible government pay clerk, who isn't taken seriously by anyone including his family, get robbed while carrying huge amount of work money, he becomes popular because people believe he faked the robbery and kept the money.
The Honest One
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Yalancı Yarim
Murat goes to another city with his five sons to escape the blood feud. but his eldest son falls for an impossible love.
Beş Kardeştiler
After they find buried treasure, four hapless brothers from the countryside discover that changing their fortunes will take more than gold.