Echoes of Zeki Demirkubuz’s remarks about Nuri Bilge Ceylan continue to reverberate after his TV Program announcement of Ceylan’s response…
When discussions in cinema circles take center stage, the talk inevitably circles back to the “Nuri Bilge Ceylan-Zeki Demirkubuz feud.” Initially dismissed as an urban legend, Demirkubuz’s clarification during an interview in 2015 revealed that there were no statements made during that time. Since then, the underlying reasons for this “falling out” have become a topic of discussion, with numerous reasonsโright or wrongโbeing cited. However, in recent days, Demirkubuz appeared on a television program to shed light on the allegations, elevating the discourse with his mannerisms. Following the explosive program, Ceylan, who has posted six “tweets” in the last decade, announced his intention to respond. It seems the debate is far from over, but it’s essential to outline what transpired from the beginning.
Summary of the fight between Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Zeki Demirkubuz
Were they close friends before?
We were never close! -Zeki Demirkubuz
Demirkubuz’s recent TV interview revealed that, contrary to claims, the two master directors were never close friends. He stated, “We were never as close friends as it’s been said. He wasn’t someone I’d ask for money even if I were starving. He was a friend I met, much like Semih Kaplanoฤlu or other friends. I distanced myself when my stomach churned, but our relationship didnโt break.”
Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival: A catalyst for conflict?
“Kader” had a great impact at the Antalya. -Zeki Demirkubuz
The breaking point dates back to 2006, during the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival. That year, the films of both directors, “Climates” (Nuri Bilge Ceylan) and “Kader” (Zeki Demirkubuz), competed for the Golden Orange. “Kader” won the Best Film Award, while Ceylan was selected as the Best Director.
Demirkubuz narrated the event: “That year, “Kader” had a great impact at the Antalya Film Festival; they increased the Best Film award to 300,000 lira. 230,000 dollars. Unheard of worldwide. On the day of the award ceremony, they sat in the hotel lobby, acting all high and mighty. There was a guy on the jury from Cannes, a buddy of his. They sat at our table during the ceremony, didnโt speak a word to me… Even though Ebru had said she was confused after watching ‘Kader’ a couple of days earlier, our relationship was fine. Anyway, they came, didnโt talk. I even called out to him, but he didnโt even look. I thought he must have some problem. He won two awards, acted very distant, and after that day, never spoke again.”
I wanted to slap him! -Zeki Demirkubuzย
After returning to Istanbul, Demirkubuz tried to initiate a conversation but was met with silence. He recounts, “Two days later, we met on Mis Street, I said, ‘How are you?’ He turned away. I wanted to slap him… I asked a close relative. They said he didn’t talk to me because I spoke against the Cannes Film Festival. Are you the mayor of Cannes or what? What business do you have?”
I’m not the one inferior. -Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Regarding Ceylan’s book about the film “Winter Sleep,” released in 2014 after winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes, Demirkubuz commented, “There’s nothing like that, but he prefers to create an impression as if there were. I think it’s very shameful. We’ve been friends for so many years, helped each other after all.”
Ceylan responded, “In an interview years later, he claimed not to have watched ‘Three Monkeys.’ How can one imply such things about a film they claim not to have seen? Yes, maybe I felt inferior here, but I’m definitely not the inferior one.”
In a recent program, Demirkubuz addressed Ceylan’s statements and allegations, saying, “I didnโt watch ‘Three Monkeys.’ Donโt be mischievous. If thereโs something, Iโd say it straight.”
Allusions and References from the Two Directors’ Films
There have been allegations that both directors made references to each other in their films. In Demirkubuz’s 2012 film “Yeraltฤฑ,” thereโs mention of an author famous for a book called “Ankara Sฤฑkฤฑntฤฑsฤฑ” (Ceylan has a film named ‘Mayฤฑs Sฤฑkฤฑntฤฑsฤฑ’). The protagonist of the film makes a remark like, “At this rate, you’ll win the Nobel and the Oscar.” Despite being acclaimed as one of the best Turkish films that year, “Yeraltฤฑ” left empty-handed at the Adana Golden Boll Film Festival. Zeynep Atakan, who produced Ceylan’s films, was on the festival’s jury, and allegedly, Ceylan influenced the lack of awards for “Yeraltฤฑ.” Demirkubuz expressed his discontent through a tweet and announced his withdrawal from festivals: โI’m tired of idiots who think I made these films for them to judge. No more competing in Turkish festivals.โ
Moreover, regarding a scene in Ceylan’s film “Winter Sleep,” alleged to reference Demirkubuz, the latter stated on the recent TV program, “It was a sh**ty scene. They should have filmed it better.”
Here is that scene:
Following Demirkubuz’s statement on the program, saying, “He’ll stay quiet, grit his teeth, and wonโt say a word again. If he does, I’ll start a YouTube channel and stream regularly. The conversation will take a different turn. Forgetting is one of this country’s favorite things. Nothing we do bears fruit. You’ll need to think a bit,” all eyes turned to Ceylan.
From the X (Twitter) account, Ceylan responded, “I was considering not replying, but unfortunately, given this tone, it’s no longer possible. If he opens a YouTube channel, it’d be wise. Soon…”
Ne sรถylerse sรถylesin cevap vermeyeyim diyordum, ama bu รผslup karลฤฑsฤฑnda ne yazฤฑk ki bu artฤฑk mรผmkรผn deฤil. Kendine ลimdiden bir youtube kanalฤฑ aรงarsa iyi eder. Yakฤฑnda…
โ Nuri Bilge Ceylan (@_nbc_) December 27, 2023
Demirkubuz swiftly replied on the same platform, “If I trusted even a gram of these fools pretending to be opposers and their curiosity for the truth or didn’t shy away from becoming the talk of the town, I would have shut down the account then and made you a ‘national hero.’ I repeat, sit where you are and keep gritting your teeth.”
Toplumun adalet duygusuna, muhalifim diye geรงinen bu dangalaklarฤฑn gerรงeฤe merakฤฑna bir gram gรผvensem ve milletin diline dรผลmekten รงekinmeseydim hesabฤฑ daha o zaman kapatฤฑr, seni de โmilli kahramanโ yapardฤฑm. Tekrar sรถylรผyorum otur oturduฤun yerde ve diลini sฤฑkmaya devam et. https://t.co/pAMiaYGJ79
โ Zeki Demirkubuz (@ZekiDemirkubuz) December 27, 2023
news nuri bilge ceylan zeki demirkubuz
Last modified: January 22, 2024
