In Memoriam | Zeki Ökten

Zeki Ökten (August 4, 1941 – December 19, 2009) was a Turkish film director. He was born on August 4, 1942 in Istanbul. Zeki Ökten was interested in theater during his High School years at Haydarpaşa Lycee. He filmmaking career began in 1961 as an assistant director at Acı Zeytin to Nişan Hançer. Zeki Ökten directed his first film Ölüm Pazarı two years later in 1963. However, he returned to being an assistant for nine years to renowned directors like Ömer Lütfi Akad, Halit Refiğ, Memduh Ün and Atıf Yılmaz. He finally gained recognition with Kadın Yapar (1972) and Bir Demet Menekşe (1973) both written by Selim İleri. He was honored at the Golden Orange Film Festival in 1977 for directing the film Kapıcılar Kralı. Real success came with the films Sürü (1978) and Düşman (1979), both written by Yılmaz Güney. The film Sürü received nine more international awards, following the honors at the festivals in Locarno 1979 and at Antwerp in 1980. Zeki Ökten received his second Golden Orange award in 1983 for directing the film Faize Hücum. Most of his comedy themes of his films were based on social problems.

Zeki Ökten died on December 19, 2009 following a heart surgery. Zeki Ökten is succeeded by his wife Güler Ökten, a well-known Turkish actress.

Filmography

Çinliler Geliyor (2006) Gülüm (2003) Güle Güle (2000) Aşk Üzerine Söylenmemiş Herşey (1996) Düttürü Dünya (1988) Davacı (1986) Kan (1986) Ses (1986) Kurbağalar (1985) Firar (1984) Pehlivan (1984) Derman (1983) Faize Hücum (1982) Sürü (1979) Almanya, Acı Vatan (1979) Düşman (1979)
Çöpçüler Kralı (1977) Sevgili Dayım (1977) Kapıcılar Kralı (1976) Hanzo (1975) Kaynanalar (1975) Şaşkın Damat (1975) Askerin Dönüşü (1974) Boş Ver Arkadaş (1974) Hasret (1974) Bir Demet Menekşe (1973) Aşrı Dağı'nın Gazabı (1973) Vurgun (1973) Ölüm Pazarı (1963)