Zeki Ökten

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 G…

Directed

1. The King of the Street Cleaners (1977) — Director
2. King of the Doormen (1977) — Director
3. Hanzo (1975) — Director
4. The Plaintiff (1986) — Director
5. The Herd (1978) — Director
6. Queer World (1988) — Director
7. Yoksul (1986) — Director
8. The Confused Groom (1975) — Director
9. The Cunning Brothers (1973) — Director
10. The Wrestler (1984) — Director
11. Güle Güle (2000) — Director
12. Longing (1974) — Director
13. My Dear Uncle (1977) — Director
14. The Enemy (1980) — Director
15. Boşver Arkadaş (1974) — Director
16. The Cunning Brothers in High Society (1973) — Director
17. What We Expected What We Found (1976) — Director
18. Çinliler Geliyor (2006) — Director
19. Saygılar Bizden (1992) — Director
20. Strike the Interests (1982) — Director
21. The Return of the Soldier (1974) — Director
22. Pisi Pisi (1975) — Director
23. Vurgun (1973) — Director
24. Gülüm (2003) — Director
25. A Bunch of Violets (1973) — Director
26. The Voice (1986) — Director
27. Ölüm Pazarı (1963) — Director
28. Ağrı Dağı'nın Gazabı (1973) — Director
29. Aşk Üzerine Söylenmemiş Her Şey (1995) — Director
30. Kadın Yapar (1972) — Director
31. Broken Life (1972) — Director

Also appeared in

1. Queer World (1988) — Dütdüt'e Çarpan Adam