Halit Refiğ (5 March 1934 – 11 October 2009) was a Turkish

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...

film producer A film producer is a person who oversees film production. Either employed by a production company or working independently, producers plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as selecting the script, coordinating writing, di ...

screenwriter A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. ...

and writer. He made around sixty films, including

feature film A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

documentaries A documentary film or documentary is a non-fictional motion-picture intended to "document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record". Bill Nichols has characterized the documentary in term ...

and

TV serial In television and radio programming, a serial is a show that has a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode-by-episode fashion. Serials typically follow main story arcs that span entire television seasons or even the complete run of ...

s. He is considered to be the pioneer of the National Cinema movement and the initiator of the production of TV serials in Turkey.

Biography

Halit Refiğ graduated from Şişli Terakki High School in 1951 and studied engineering at

Robert College The American Robert College of Istanbul ( tr, İstanbul Özel Amerikan Robert Lisesi or ), often shortened to Robert, or RC, is a Selective school, highly selective, Independent school, independent, mixed-sex education, co-educational Secondary ...

Istanbul Istanbul ( , ; tr, İstanbul ), formerly known as Constantinople ( grc-gre, Κωνσταντινούπολις; la, Constantinopolis), is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, ...

. Refiğ directed his first films in 8mm while he served as a military reserve officer in

Korea Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

and

Ceylon Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...

. He wrote articles on cinema at newspapers in 1956 and published the ''Sinema Dergisi'' magazine together with Nijat Özön. He began his career as Atıf Yılmaz's assistant in 1957 together with

Yılmaz Güney Yılmaz Güney (' Pütün; 1 April 1937 – 9 September 1984) was a Kurdish film director, screenwriter, novelist, and actor. He quickly rose to prominence in the Turkish film industry. Many of his works were devoted to the plight of ordinary wo ...

. He worked as

scriptwriter A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based. T ...

for Atıf Yılmaz and

Memduh Ün Arif Memduh Ün (14 March 1920 – 16 October 2015) was a Turkish film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. His film, '' The Broken Pots'', was entered into the 11th Berlin International Film Festival The 11th annual Berlin Inte ...

. His

directorial debut This is a list of film directorial debuts in chronological order. The films and dates referred to are a director's first commercial cinematic release. Many film makers have directed works which were not commercially released, for example early work ...

was ''Forbidden Love (Yasak Aşk)'' (1961). His 1962 film '' Stranger in the City'' was entered into the 3rd Moscow International Film Festival. In the 1970s, with the decline in Turkish cinema, he started to work extensively for TV. In 1974, he contributed as an instructor to the first cinema education programs initiated by the Istanbul State Fine Arts Academy (the

Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University The Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University ( tr, Mimar Sinan Güzel Sanatlar Üniversitesi, or MSGSÜ) is a Turkish public university dedicated to higher education in the fine arts. It is located in the Fındıklı neighbourhood of Beyoğlu, Istanbul ...

of today) where he started to work as lecturer in 1975. In 1975, he directed the

TV series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed betw ...

''Aşk-ı Memnu (Forbidden Love)'' which was aired on the Turkish Radio Television, TRT. This TV serial is considered to be the first

miniseries A miniseries or mini-series is a television series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. "Limited series" is another more recent US term which is sometimes used interchangeably. , the popularity of miniseries format h ...

on Turkish television stations. In 1978, he wrote a script for a documentary about the life of

Mimar Sinan Mimar Sinan ( ota, معمار سينان, translit=Mi'mâr Sinân, , ) ( 1488–1490 – 17 July 1588) also known as Koca Mi'mâr Sinân Âğâ, ("Sinan Agha (title), Agha the Grand Architect" or "Grand Sinan") was the chief Ottoman Empir ...

on commission from the Mimar Sinan University. The project was not completed but the script was published. In 1999, on commission from the then Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit, he began developing a

project titled ''Devlet Ana (Mother State)'', to be released on the 700th anniversary of the establishment of the

Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...

. The project was going to be conducted in collaboration with the Mimar Sinan University (MSU). In 2001, Refiğ stated that he will not collaborate with MSU and thus the project was not realized.

Censorship

Refiğ's 1979-81 adaptation of Kemal Tahir's novel, ''Yorgun Savaşçı'', for TRT, where he served as an advisor, was banned from broadcast by TRT on accounts of incorporating scenes which were anti- Atatürk, anti-

Turkish Independence War The Turkish War of Independence "War of Liberation", also known figuratively as ''İstiklâl Harbi'' "Independence War" or ''Millî Mücadele'' "National Struggle" (19 May 1919 – 24 July 1923) was a series of military campaigns waged by th ...

, and pro-

Çerkes Ethem Çerkes Ethem (1886 – 21 September 1948), known in English as Ethem the Circassian, was a Circassian Ottoman guerilla leader, social bandit, efe and soldier. He initially gained fame for establishing the Kuva-yi Seyyare and putting down mu ...

. A commission of seven people comprising three colonels, a representative of the Ministry of Interior, a representative of the press office of the Prime Minister, two TRT representatives, and

Turgut Özakman Turgut Özakman (1 September 1930 – 28 September 2013) was a Turkish lawyer, a civil servant, a dramaturge and a writer. Life He was born in Ankara in 1930. In 1952 he graduated from the law school of Ankara University and served as a lawyer. ...

, the director of the Turkish State Theatres, representing the Ministry of Culture, was formed on order from President Kenan Evren and Prime Minister Bülent Ulusu and the prints were burnt in 1983 by TRT director Macit Akman, at the furnaces of the

Turkish General Staff , image = , image_size = 160px , caption = Emblem of the General Staff , dates = 3 May 1920 – present , country = , allegiance ...

printhouse under the supervision of the said commission. This

censorship Censorship is the suppression of speech, public communication, or other information. This may be done on the basis that such material is considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or "inconvenient". Censorship can be conducted by governments ...

caused public controversy. A surviving copy surfaced in 1993 and the 8-episode miniseries was broadcast in its entirety on TRT.

Academic life

He lectured at the

University of Wisconsin A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, t ...

in 1976, where he directed ''The Intercessors'', and at

Denison University Denison University is a private liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio. One of the earliest colleges established in the former Northwest Territory, Denison University was founded in 1831. The college was first called the Granville Literary and ...

in Ohio in 1984, where he shot ''In the Wilderness'' with his students. He was given the title of "Honorary Professor" by

Marmara University Marmara University ( Turkish: ''Marmara Üniversitesi'') is a public university in Istanbul, Turkey. The university is named after the Sea of Marmara and was founded as a university in 1982. However, it was created in 1883 under the name of ''H ...

in 1997.

Death

He suffered from cholangiocarcinoma and died on 11 October 2009 in Istanbul, aged 75. He was interred in the

Zincirlikuyu Cemetery __NOTOC__ The Zincirlikuyu Cemetery ( tr, Zincirlikuyu Mezarlığı) is a modern burial ground residing on the European part of Istanbul, Turkey. It is administered by the Metropolitan Municipality. Many prominent figures from the world of polit ...

two days later, following the funeral service held at

Teşvikiye Mosque The Teşvikiye Mosque is a neo-baroque structure located in the Teşvikiye neighbourhood of Şişli district in Istanbul, Turkey. History The mosque was originally commissioned in 1794 by Sultan Selim III, but most of the current mosque that s ...

Filmography as director

* '' Seviştiğimiz Günler'' (1961) * '' Yasak Aşk'' (1961) * '' Şehirdeki Yabancı'' (1962) * ''

Gençlik Hülyaları ''Gençlik Hülyaları'' is a 1962 Turkish drama film, directed by Halit Refiğ Halit Refiğ (5 March 1934 – 11 October 2009) was a Turkish film director, film producer, screenwriter and writer. He made around sixty films, including feat ...

'' (1962) * ''

Şafak Bekçileri ''Şafak Bekçileri'' is a 1963 Turkish drama film, directed by Halit Refiğ and starring Göksel Arsoy, Leyla Sayar, and Nilüfer Aydan. References External links''Şafak Bekçileri''at the Internet Movie Database IMDb (an abbreviati ...

'' (1963) * '' Gurbet Kuşları'' (1964) * ''

Şehrazat Şehrazat Kemali Söylemezoğlu (born 3 September 1952), known by her stage name Şehrazat or Şehro, is a Turkish celebutante, television personality, businesswoman, philanthropist, composer, songwriter, record producer, occasional jazz, and ...

'' (1964) * '' Evcilik Oyunu'' (1964) * '' İstanbul'un Kızları'' (1964) * '' Canım Sana Feda'' (1965) * '' Güneşe Giden Yol'' (1965) * ''

Haremde Dört Kadın ''Haremde Dört Kadın'' is a 1965 Turkish drama film, directed by Halit Refiğ and starring Tanju Gürsu, Nilüfer Aydan, Cüneyt Arkın, and Pervin Par. Plot Cast * Cüneyt Arkın Fahrettin Cüreklibatır (8 September 1937 – 28 Ju ...

'' (1965) * '' Kırık Hayatlar'' (1965) * '' Erkek Ve Dişi'' (1966) * '' Üç Korkusuz Arkadaş'' (1966) * '' Karakolda Ayna Var'' (1966) * '' Can Yoldaşları'' (1966) * '' Kız Kolunda Damga Var'' (1967) * '' Bir Türk'e Gönül Verdim'' (1969) * '' Yaşamak Ne Güzel Şey'' (1969) * ''

Adsız Cengaver ''The Nameless Knight'' ( tr, Adsız Cengaver; fa, فرزند شمشیر) is a 1970 Turkish historical fantasy film directed by Halit Refiğ and starring Cüneyt Arkın, Nebahat Çehre, Pouri Banayi, Birsen Ayda, and Altan Günbay. Plot A youn ...

'' (1970) * '' Sevmek Ve Ölmek Zamanı'' (1971) * '' Ali Cengiz Oyunu'' (1971) * '' Çöl Kartalı'' (1972) * ''

Acı Zafer ''Acı Zafer'' is a 1972 Turkish film directed by Halit Refiğ and starring Yilmaz Köksal, Deniz Erkanat, Turgut Özatay. References External links''Acı Zafer''at the Internet Movie Database IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie ...

'' (1972) * ''

Aşk Fırtınası ''Aşk Fırtınası'' is a 1972 Turkish romantic drama film, directed by Halit Refiğ and starring Kartal Tibet, Bahar Erdeniz, and Muzaffer Tema. References External links''Aşk Fırtınası''at the Internet Movie Database IMDb (an a ...

'' (1972) * '' Fatma Bacı'' (1972) * '' Kızın Varmı Derdin Var'' (1973) * '' Cennetin Kapısı'' (1973) * '' Sultan Gelin'' (1973) * '' Vurun Kahpeye'' (1973) * '' Yedi Evlat İki Damat'' (1973) * '' Aşk-ı Memnu'' (1975) (TV) * '' Arabulucular'' (1977) * '' Yaşam Kavgası'' (1978) * '' Yorgun Savaşçı'' (1979) (TV) * '' Leyla İle Mecnun'' (1982) * '' O Kadın'' (1982) * '' Beyaz Ölüm'' (1983) * '' İhtiras Fırtınası'' (1983) * '' Alev Alev'' (1984) * '' Ölüm Yolu'' (1985) * '' Paramparça'' (1985) * '' Son Darbe'' (1985) * '' Kıskıvrak'' (1986) * '' Teyzem'' (1986) * '' Yarın Ağlayacağım'' (1986) * '' Kızımın Kanı'' (1987) * '' Kurtar Beni'' (1987) * '' Kızım Ve Ben'' (1988) * '' Hanım'' (1988) * '' Karılar Koğuşu'' (1989) * ''

İki Yabancı ''İki Yabancı'' is a 1990 Turkish drama film, directed by Halit Refiğ Halit Refiğ (5 March 1934 – 11 October 2009) was a Turkish film director, film producer, screenwriter and writer. He made around sixty films, including feature fil ...

'' (1990) * '' Zirvedekiler'' (1993) (TV) * '' Köpekler Adası'' (1996) * '' Affet Bizi Hocam'' (1998) (TV) * '' Kerem'' (1999) * '' Affet Beni Hocam'' (2000) * '' Zeynep Öğretmen'' (2000) (TV) * '' Gelinlik Kız'' (2000) * '' Sara ile Musa'' (2000) (TV) * '' Midasın Düşü'' (2000) (TV) * '' Gençlik'' (2000)

Producer

* ''Yaşamak Hakkımdır'' 1958 * ''İstanbul'un Kızları'' 1964 * ''Canım Sana Feda'' 1965 * ''İki Yabancı'' 1990

Screenwriter

References

External links

Biography of Halit Refiğ
*

Bibliography

Published screenplays

*Refiğ, Halit. (2009). ''Puşkin Erzurumda''. Dergah Yayınları, Sinema İletişim Dizisi, İstanbul. *Refiğ, Halit. (2009). ''Koca Sinan''. Dergah Yayınları, Sinema İletişim Dizisi, İstanbul. *Refiğ, Halit. (2009). ''Şeytan Aldatması''. Alfa Basım Yayım Dağıtım, Senaryo Dizisi, İstanbul. *Refiğ, Halit. (2009). ''Gazi ile Latife: Mustafa Kemal'in Yaşamından Bir Kesit''. Alfa Basım Yayım Dağıtım, Senaryo Dizisi, İstanbul. *Refiğ, Halit. (2006). '' Aşk ve Ölüm Senaryoları''. Doğan Kitapçılık, İstanbul.

Non-fiction (memoirs, essays)

*Refiğ, Halit; eds. Gültekin, D. Ali; Zileli, Irmak. (2009). ''Doğruyu Aradım Güzeli Sevdim''. Bizim Kitaplar Yayınevi, İstanbul. *Refiğ, Halit; ed. Gültekin, D. Ali. (2007). ''Tek Umut Türkiye''. Bizim Kitaplar Yayınevi, İstanbul. *Refiğ, Halit & Hristidis, Şengün Kılıç. (2007). ''Sinemada Ulusal Tavır''. Türkiye İş Bankası Kültür Yayınları, İstanbul. *Refiğ, Halit. (2002). '' Doğu Batı ve Türkiye 10 Yılda Nereden Başladık? Nereye Geldik?''. Ufuk Kitapları, İstanbul. *Refiğ, Halit. (2000). ''Gerçeğin Değişkenliği Kemal Tahir''. Ufuk Kitapları, İstanbul.