Director Ali Özgentürk laid to rest

Director Ali Özgentürk was laid to rest in Adana.

A ceremony was held for Özgentürk at the Adana Metropolitan Municipality Theater Hall, where he began his artistic career in the 1960s.

Metropolitan Mayor Zeydan Karalar stated in his speech at the ceremony that they would present an award in the name of Ali Özgentürk at the 32nd International Adana Golden Boll Film Festival, which will be held from September 22-28 this year.

Ali Özgentürk's daughter, Simay Özgentürk, described her father as a person full of life, saying, "He always laughed sincerely. There was humanity in his smile. I loved him very much, and I will always love him. I am sure he is now doing theater with his friends in the heavens, reciting poems with his cheerful voice, and watching over us. We will keep him alive within us; I love you very much, father."

Nebil Özgentürk stated that his brother, Ali Özgentürk, performed on stage with Nejat Uygur at the Adana Metropolitan Municipality Theater Hall when he was 15-16 years old, adding, "He began his art here as a young theater actor from Adana. He is actually walking around here at 16-17 years old. As we say, he loved Adana with all his heart. May the brave son of Adana, the revolutionary Ali Özgentürk, rest in peace."

During the ceremony, which was attended by Özgentürk's family, relatives, and loved ones, as well as CHP Adana Deputies Ayhan Barut and Müzeyyen Şevkin, carnations were placed on Özgentürk's coffin.

Özgentürk's funeral was later buried at the Akkapı Cemetery in the central Seyhan district following the funeral prayer.

WHO IS ALİ ÖZGENTÜRK?

Born in Adana in 1945, Ali Özgentürk studied philosophy and sociology at Istanbul University.

Entering the cinema world as a camera assistant, Ali Özgentürk worked as an assistant to directors including Atıf Yılmaz and Yılmaz Güney.

The successful director made a name for himself with his first feature film, "Hazal," in 1979, which won many awards.

In addition to directing, Özgentürk, who was also a screenwriter, producer, and actor, had been interested in theater since his student years. The master artist, who brought theater to the streets with the "Street Theater" group, made short films titled "Ferhat" and "Yasak" in the 1970s.

Ali Özgentürk made the films "The Horse" (At) and "The Guard" (Bekçi) with the contributions of Onat Kutlar and Işıl Özgentürk. He then adapted the work of author Orhan Kemal, "Murtaza," for the cinema and presented the film "The Guard" to the audience.

Ali Özgentürk, who was deemed worthy of the "Milliyet Newspaper Film Story Award" in 1977 for his story "Yusuf and Züleyha," also published a literary magazine called "Asyalı" with poet Süreyya Berfe.

The director, who drew attention with the programs he made for television channels and especially his work titled "Bir Yudum İnsan," also had his articles and stories published in various magazines and newspapers.

News Source: AA