The 60th Berlin International Film Festival awarded its top prize, the Golden Bear, to the 2010 motion picture directed by Semih Kaplanoğlu. Born in İzmir in 1963, he built a multifaceted career across Turkish media, functioning as a screenwriter, journalist, film producer, and editor before establishing his reputation within the international festival circuit for his distinctive cinematic language.
Early Career and Television
Kaplanoğlu studied at the Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Fine Arts. In 1984, he relocated to Istanbul to work as a copywriter for agencies including Güzel Sanatlar Saatchi & Saatchi and Young & Rubicam. He transitioned into the film industry in 1986 as an assistant cameraman for documentary productions. His television directorial debut came in 1994 with the series Şehnaz Tango, which broadcast 52 episodes on Show TV and InterStar.
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His feature film debut, Away From Home, earned him the Best Director award at the Singapore International Film Festival in 2001. His second feature, Angel's Fall, followed in 2005, premiering at the Berlinale Forum and securing festival honors in Nantes, Kerala, and Barcelona. Between 2005 and 2010, he directed and produced the Yusuf Trilogy. The first installment, Yumurta, premiered in Cannes, while the second, Süt, screened at the Venice International Film Festival.
Writing and Industry Engagement
Beyond directing, he maintained a significant presence in journalism and critique. From 1987 to 2003, he contributed articles on plastic arts and cinema to various periodicals. He authored a regular column titled Karşılaşmalar for the daily newspaper Radikal between 1996 and 2000. He is a member of the European Film Academy and the Asia Pacific Screen Academy, and he served on the jury for the 2013 Cannes Film Festival Cinefondation and Short Films section.
Political Context and Affiliations
Kaplanoğlu has publicly supported the Justice and Development Party and the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. His production company received public funding in 2019, a point frequently raised by critics citing his government ties. He is married to author and screenwriter Leyla İpekçi, a niece of Abdi İpekçi. Regarding his former associations, he stated that he was deceived by the Gülen movement, which the Turkish government held responsible for the 2016 coup attempt.
Fast facts
- Born: 1963, İzmir, Turkey
- Education: Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Fine Arts
- Golden Bear Award: 2010
- Annual award ACFK: 2022
- Religion: Sunni Islam
- Key Trilogy: Yusuf Trilogy
- Primary occupations: Film director, screenwriter, producer
Questions readers ask
What is the subject of his early writing career?
He wrote articles on cinema and plastic arts, including a column titled Karşılaşmalar.
Has he received international recognition for his directing?
Yes, he has received 28 international awards and 10 nominations, including the 2010 Golden Bear.
Achievements
- Golden Bear — 2010
- Worked as film director, screenwriter and film producer
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