Star-Studded Cinema and Theatre Talks at Istanbul Ticaret University
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In the Cinema and Theatre Talks organised by our Culture and Literature Society, leading names of the art world such as Ruhi Sarı, Şirin Gedikli and Hakan Bilgin shared their experiences in the sector and their art journey with the students.
Cinema and Theater Talks were organized by the Culture and Literature Community within the scope of Trade Fest24 at Istanbul Ticaret University. On the first day of the talks held at the Sütlüce Campus Open Amphitheatre, with the participation of many important artists, the participants were Director Actor Ruhi Sarı, Scenario Writer Şirin Gedikli and Actor Hakan Bilgin.
I STARTED MY PROFESSION BY ACCIDENT
At the event, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gözde Sunal and Nursena Güngör, Head of the Culture and Literature Community, Ruhi Sarı said that he started acting by chance and has been acting continuously for 36 years. Noting that the script and story are important for him to take part in a play, the famous actor noted that he can act in any play in which he has something to say. Touching on the difficulties he experienced in the industry, Sarı said, “We worked for 52 hours on a previous TV series. This was not a profession that could be done unless one loved it enough. In fact, our profession is only just reaching certain standards. It is very recently that I have even put “actor” on my passport.”
TURKISH LESSONS ARE GIVEN IN GREECE
Ruhi Sarı said that Turkish TV series are now recognised in the world and our language is popular in the world thanks to the TV series given in Turkish in different countries, “Thanks to our TV series, Turkish awareness has increased in South America. I even see that Turkish lessons are given in Greece.” Asking the participating students to watch the movies until the end, no matter how bad they are, Sarı said, “Dozens of people work behind a movie. There is so much effort. Watch the movie until the credits as much as possible.”
THE SCENARIO COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE MUNICIPALITY CHANGED HIS LIFE
In the continuation of the interview, Script Writer Şirin Gedikli stated that her life changed when she saw a municipality’s script writing poster after working in a different profession for many years and said, “I was continuing to write stories since high school. I continued as an amateur writer by writing stories and poems for my friend who made a radio program at university. In the competition organized by the municipality, the play I wrote, Broken Flowers of the Streets, won first place and was exhibited. This is how screenwriting came into my life professionally.”
Stating that he does not write a script in one sitting, but writes what comes to his mind by taking notes from daily conversations and events he sees, Gedikli said that there is training for those who want to be a writer, but there is no school. Underlining that scripts of foreign films and TV series are used more in the theatre and film industry in Turkey, Şirin Gedikli said, “Turkish screenwriters need to be supported.”
THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON WHO CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY, AND THAT IS YOU
The last participant of the interview was the famous actor Hakan Bilgin. Bilgin said that he had been a theater actor since primary school and decided to become an actor after the company he started after his university education went bankrupt. Hakan Bilgin, who said that he can play every role and be happy, told the participants, “There is only one person who will make you happy, and that is you! When looking at any event or life, do not rebel, try to be happy. Then life will be easier for you.”
THEATRE IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR ME
Bilgin said that when he makes a comparison between both a film actor and a theater actor, theater dominates, adding: “Cinema is history. You can watch that film even after decades, but in the theatre it is an instant thing. Even when you play the same game over and over again, you play it differently. For this reason, theater is more important to me. Hakan (Bilgin) is in every role you play for me. Therefore, no matter what role I take on, there is a piece of myself in it.” Giving advice to those considering acting as a career, Bilgin said, “You can study anywhere. But the person who will train you must be knowledgeable on this subject. She or he cannot become a master just because they acted in a few TV series. What I mean is, get training from a place where you will experience a master-apprentice relationship.”
Cinema and Theatre Talks will continue on Wednesday 22 May with Actor Zihni Göktay, Writer Dağhan Dönmez, Director Şahin Altuğ and Theatre Actress Gülşah Erdur.
