FEEL IT.STREAM
Zeki Ökten

Zeki Ökten

Directing

Biography

Born in Istanbul on August 4, 1941, Zeki Ökten began his theatrical studies while attending Haydarpaşa High School. He entered the film industry in 1961 as an assistant director on the film "Acı Zeytin" (Bitter Olive), directed by Nişan Hançer. After directing his first film, "Ölüm Pazarı" (Death Market), in 1963, Ökten returned to assistant work when it didn't achieve the success he expected. For nine years, he worked as an assistant director alongside directors such as Ömer Lütfi Akad, Halit Refiğ, Memduh Ün, and Atıf Yılmaz. Later, he gained attention with "Kadın Yapar" (Woman Does It) in 1972 and "Bir Demet Menekşe" (A Bunch of Violets) in 1973, both with screenplays by Selim İleri. Ökten directed "Askerin Dönüşü" (The Soldier's Return) in 1974, but his greatest success came with the screenplays for Yılmaz Güney's films "Sürü" (The Herd) and "Düşman" (The Enemy), which are now considered masterpieces. With "Sürü" (The Herd), he won 11 international awards, including Best Film at the 1979 Locarno Film Festival and the 1980 Antwerp Film Festival. He made films addressing social issues with comedies such as "Hanzo" (1975), starring Kemal Sunal, "Çöpçüler Kralı" (The King of Garbage Collectors) (1976), and "Fazie Hücum" (1982), starring Genco Erkal. He won the Best Director award at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival for "Kapıcılar Kralı" (The King of Doormen) and "Faize Hücum," while "Pehlivan" (The Wrestler) (1984), starring Tarık Akan, won numerous international awards, as well as the "Outstanding Achievement Award" at the Istanbul Film Festival. After directing "Ses" (The Voice) in 1986, Ökten took a break from filmmaking following "Düttürü Dünya" (The World of Words) in 1988. The assistant director for this film was Zeki Demirkubuz, a director who has won numerous awards for his films. After an 11-year hiatus, he returned to cinema in 1999 with "Güle Güle" (Goodbye), featuring prominent actors such as Metin Akpınar, Zeki Alasya, Yıldız Kenter, and Eşref Koçak. The film, watched by one million people in cinemas, won the Best Film award at the Golden Orange Film Festival. In 2003, Ökten directed "Gülüm" (My Darling), starring Tarık Akan and Okan Bayülgen, followed by "Çinliler Geliyor" (The Chinese Are Coming) in 2006. He was married to actress Güler Ökten. The director passed away on Saturday, December 19th, at the American Hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Known For

Saygılar Bizden
7.8

No description available.

Saygılar Bizden

1992
Destiny
7.4

Bekir loves Uğur, who loves Zagor, who is about to get out of jail. An already tense love triangle is thrown into turmoil on a hot summer night, when Zagor kills someone, and Uğur disappears.

Destiny

2006
The Herd
7.5

Because of a local blood feud, a peasant family decides to sell its sheep - a most precious commodity - in far away Ankara. During their long train ride, bribes must be paid to petty officials, sheep are stolen or die in the packed, airless wagons, and the sick wife of one of the family's sons becomes deathly ill.

The Herd

1978
The Plaintiff
7.0

It is a comedy of stubborn people who initiate a judicial process which would last 7 years because some sheep ate a few cabbages.

The Plaintiff

1986
Selahattin Eyyubi
5.8

The film depicts the Christian West's attack on Jerusalem and the defense of Muslims led by Saladin. Believing that they will become rich and go to heaven if they capture Jerusalem, Christians led by Richard the Lionheart launch an attack. Saladin cannot find the support he expects from Muslim emirs. The Crusader armies are approaching Jerusalem, committing massacres along the way. Saladin, who has been wearing down the Crusaders with hit-and-run tactics for a long time, will defeat the Christians in the great battle and protect Jerusalem.

Selahattin Eyyubi

1970
Ölüm Pazarı
9.0

No description available.

Ölüm Pazarı

1963
Güle Güle
7.1

Car mechanic Şemsi separated from his wife years ago and lives alone, far away from his only child. Celal is a disciplined retired colonel married to Zarife. İsmet is an introverted film buff who has spent his life on the island, while Galip is a faithful platonic lover who has lived a strange "love" with Rosa, a Cuban woman he saw only once, and has never betrayed this woman with whom he has been corresponding for years. Unable to afford to go to Cuba or bring Rosa there, Galip falls ill and learns he has cancer. His friends do everything they can to make him happy before he dies, even putting their homes up for sale. But when the money still isn't enough, there's only one thing left to do: To obtain the money needed to send Galip to Cuba, they decide to rob five charming elderly bankers!

Güle Güle

2000
The Wrestler
6.2

With good guidance from director Zeki Okten but an uninspired script, this story of a brother and his Turkish family influenced by old and new traditions is somewhat uneven. Bilal (Tarik Akan) is devoted to the art of wrestling, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who were both champions at the sport. Aside from his interest in wrestling for its own sake, Bilal has a chance to win a provincial wrestling contest and thereby bring home a considerable cash award for his efforts -- and so his days are spent in training for the event. Meanwhile, his brother and sister-in-law and their daughter have come back home after living in Germany for 12 years and are finding the adjustment to their cultural roots a bumpy ride. As long scenes of well-oiled and slippery wrestlers in action prepare viewers for Bilal's big event, the struggle of these men is reminiscent of the struggle of Bilal's family to come to grips with a world they may not be able to accept unconditionally.

The Wrestler

1984
Vurgun
7.5

Gönül is a famous and very wealthy singer. Her wealthy boss, Zekeriya, devises a plan to get his hands on her money. He meets with Mehmet, who has just been released from prison and is unemployed, and convinces him to help. According to the plan, Mehmet will make Gönül fall in love with him and then steal her money. Mehmet reluctantly agrees to do this in order to pay for the surgery of Rıza Dayı's granddaughter. He introduces himself as Ertuğrul and moves into the hotel where Gönül is staying. He succeeds in charming Gönül with his good looks. Just as their relationship turns into love, Gönül discovers Ertuğrul's true identity. She decides to test him by proposing a game. She offers to give him all her money for a business venture. Mehmet refuses the offer and tells Gönül the truth.

Vurgun

1973
Longing
6.1

The soft spot in her heart for her composer remains unfilled of a star performer, after she's given a red handkerchief as a farewell. She must make her final decision despite a hearing loss risking her promising career.

Longing

1974
The Forgotten Woman
9.0

Zeynep, a member of a gang of professional thieves, is tasked with seducing the chosen victims. The new victim of the group is Kenan Hanoglu, a composer.

The Forgotten Woman

1971
Hanzo
5.7

Hanzo, who was lost as a baby and raised by bears in the wild forest, behaving like them, is captured one day by a group that comes to the village for excavation.

Hanzo

1975
The Legend of Battal Gazi
6.1

Depiction of the life of the legendary Muslim Serdar of Malatya, Battal Gazi.

The Legend of Battal Gazi

1971
Broken Life
N/A

The film tells the story of a singer who loses his voice and the prima donna he falls in love with. Orhan, a former singer, lost his voice and his fame years ago. Unable to make a living, Orhan cannot pay his debt to Tarık, the owner of a casino. Tarık convinces Orhan to marry the prima donna Pınar in order to pay off his debt. Tarık's goal is to seize Pınar's fortune. Orhan, who is in love with Pınar, tries to stop Tarık when he learns of his plan. However, he is forced to submit to Tarık's threats. Orhan, who refuses to give up on Pınar, devises a plan to protect her.

Broken Life

1972
Aşk Üzerine Söylenmemiş Her Şey
10.0

Five short films by five directors based on themes of love and tolerance, each independent of the other. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Efes Pilsen. The collection includes five short films: Ömer Kavur's "The Meeting," İrfan Tözüm's "Monte Cristo," Yusuf Kurçenli's "Because I Love Her," Erden Kıral's "Moon Stories," and Zeki Ökten's "Always the Same."

Aşk Üzerine Söylenmemiş Her Şey

1995
The King of the Street Cleaners
7.8

Going through his daily routine in a stereotypical neighborhood, a street cleaner falls in love with a charwoman. Unfortunately for him, so does his superior officer.

The King of the Street Cleaners

1977
Queer World
7.2

Living in an Ankara shantytown, Mehmet plays the clarinet at a nightclub to support his family. When their home is sold to a contractor by his brother-in-law, the gap between Mehmet’s dreams and reality significantly grows.

Queer World

1988
King of the Doormen
7.8

Seyit, a resourceful doorman of a middle class apartment in Istanbul, finds himself in a struggle for power when the new superintendent decides to crack down on his slack attitude.

King of the Doormen

1977
Pisi Pisi
5.5

A young and beautiful girl who happens to meet a photographer marries him despite her family's opposition. However, the girl has a tumor in her brain and only has a short time left to live.

Pisi Pisi

1975
The Cunning Brothers
6.3

Ali and Veli are two brothers, one of whom is a taxi driver and the other a porter. However, the two brothers do not get along well. Through a game played by their father, the two brothers finally make peace and decide to work together. Meanwhile, Seyid Abdullah, the head of an Arab mafia, sends two of his men to Habip Nizamettin to buy drugs. As Abdullah's men pass by Ali and Veli, they drop their suitcase. Inside the suitcase is a note explaining how to make the transaction. After finding the note, the two brothers decide to disguise themselves and seize the money.

The Cunning Brothers

1973