National athlete Yavuz Aktunç wins lawsuit over 'Ali Çevlik' film

National athlete Yavuz Aktunç made a verbal agreement in 2022 for 25,000 TL in exchange for 4 days of acting for the feature film titled Ali Çevlik, which was shot in Istanbul and Bingöl.

Aktunç, who did not receive the acting fee promised by Beyrut Film Prodüksiyon Anonim Şirketi, filed a lawsuit for receivables at the Bakırköy 1st Intellectual and Industrial Rights Civil Court.

The lawsuit concluded after 2 years. While the court rejected Aktunç's request for 30,000 TL in moral damages, it ruled that the production company must pay Aktunç 50,000 TL in material damages.

THEY CALLED THE NATIONAL ATHLETE, WHO WAS ONE OF THE LEAD ACTORS, AN EXTRA

The national athlete's name was not included in the credits of the film, which was produced by Baran Mayda, Mahmut Baldemir, and Erkan Bektaş. In its defense, the company claimed that there was 'no artist-producer relationship' and alleged that Aktunç was an extra in the film.

Speaking to 12punto, national athlete Aktunç said, "I was one of the leads in the film. However, they stated to the court that I was an extra. The court appointed an expert committee, and after the committee examined the film, it concluded that I was in a main role. It was also determined that I was the 5th actor with the most screen time in the film. Furthermore, they did not include my name in the credits, which also constituted a violation of rights."

"I SUFFERED MATERIAL LOSS"

Expressing the damage he suffered, Aktunç stated, "We changed the entire design of our sports club for the shoots in Istanbul, and the club remained closed for an average of 6 days. Afterward, we went to Bingöl, and we stayed there longer than the date given. Our club remained closed for about 15 days. My private lessons and group lessons were also canceled. I suffered a lot of material loss as well."

"WE WILL ALSO EXERCISE OUR RIGHT TO MORAL COMPENSATION"

Underlining that the amount he received for the damages he suffered in the material and moral compensation lawsuit was low, Aktunç said, "The amount the court ruled for me, including interest, was 50,000 TL. Because we filed the lawsuit in 2022 and it just concluded. It resulted in a low figure, so we will apply to higher courts and exercise our right to moral compensation. My lawyer continues to handle the judicial process," and stated that he would follow the process.

"THEY ALSO HAD ME ACT IN EMRA DOLEN'S MUSIC VIDEO"

Explaining that he also acted in a music video shot by the same director and did not receive his acting fee, Aktunç concluded his words by saying, "Along with this, they had me act in Emra Dolen's Felsefe music video. They rented the hall there too and did not pay for that either, but we did not apply to the court out of respect for our artist."

PRODUCER MAYDA: "THE FIFTH CHARACTER OF THE FILM"

The film's producer, Baran Mayda, defended himself in a statement to 12punto.

Mayda responded to Aktunç's views as follows:

"As can be understood from the film's poster, Erkan Bektaş is in the lead role. Also, Ali Çevlik, the character who bears his name, is the second lead actor.

As Yavuz stated in his own declaration, he is the person with the 5th most scenes in a film that we shot with very few characters. So he is not a lead. He is not even a supporting lead. Even though I did not have a verbal agreement of 25,000 with him, I called to pay the 25,000 in the first place. The records are still there. He asked for 400,000.

The court rightly says, 'Make the payment for the supporting actor.' The court ruled for 50,000 lira in compensation but also rejected the request for moral compensation. We will make a payment at the level of a supporting actor"...