17.12.2025 17:26
The movie "Çatlı," which focuses on the life of Abdullah Çatlı, is set to be released on March 20. Vedat İnceefe, a former football player of Galatasaray, will portray Çatlı.
The film, which focuses on Çatlı's departure abroad after the 1980 coup and his years in Europe, brought together the crew, actors, and Abdullah Çatlı's family at a meeting with the press. Vedat İnceefe, a former national football player and coach who plays Abdullah Çatlı in the film, told an AA reporter after the meeting that it is difficult to portray a person that everyone is curious about.
Inceefe, who stated that the director, producer, and set crew were very helpful during the shooting, said, "It was my first acting experience. Cinema is a sector I stepped into for the first time. I learned how it is when I got involved in this sector. I found it very difficult. I really went through tough times, but I tried to do my best. I think I did."
Shiva Behrouzfar, who appears as the character Meral Çatlı, said she portrays a strong Turkish woman who stands tall amidst many difficulties and supports her children.
Behrouzfar expressed that she experienced emotional moments during the shooting, saying, "There were many moments when I questioned myself, thinking how could I stand strong like this for my children if something like this happened to me."
"LET IT BE A JOB THAT NO ONE DARES TO DO"
Producer Seyfi Şahin stated that Onur Tan started preparing the project about a year ago, saying, "He had met with the family. He was working on the script. He had discussions with Çatlı's friends from that period, whose names were changed in the film. He gathered information from them and prepared the script under the consultancy of Gökçen Çatlı."
Şahin, who wants to enter the cinema industry in Turkey with a strong production, said, "Many stories and projects came to me, but I didn't find them suitable for a start. I said it should be a strong name, a strong production, and a job that no one dares to do. When the offer came to me from the family and Onur Tan, I accepted it without thinking." Şahin emphasized that they shot a film based on facts, stating that they acted objectively and did not create a narrative.
Şahin conveyed that they tried to tell the realities they were told and identified, adding that cinema lovers would decide after watching the film.
"I HEARD A LOT FROM THE GIRLS AND HIS WIFE"
Director Deniz Enyüksek explained that he had very little idea about Abdullah Çatlı and that he got involved in the project after discussing it with project consultant Ömer Faruk Sorak and began to get to know Çatlı.
Enyüksek added that the production phase of the film was very intense, stating that they worked with a production team that dedicated themselves wholeheartedly.
Director Enyüksek emphasized that the family's support was important for accurately reflecting the character, stating: "Normally, in biographical films, a character is portrayed, and it is based on a book or something. But here, the fact that our starting point is the family, and the stories are based on real-life experiences, actually affected me a lot in terms of credibility and sincerity. I actually heard many things directly from his daughters and his precious wife."
"TELLING THE PAST WAS LIKE LIVING IT"
Meral Çatlı, Abdullah Çatlı's wife, noted that the production, which tells the story of the 1980s and 1990s, is a period film. Expressing that it is an honor and pride to have the film shot, Meral Çatlı provided the following information:
"I think of it as a legacy to my loved ones, my family, and my grandchildren. This is my thought. If I can leave it, I would be very happy. We have reached the final stages. A beautiful film is coming. We worked intensively with my daughters during the production phase. Telling the past was like living it. We were worn out, but a beautiful film came out. We are experiencing the happiness of that. I wish my husband were alive so that we wouldn't have to make this film."
Gökçen Çatlı, Abdullah Çatlı's daughter, who contributed as a script consultant for the film, emphasized that they went through a very fast and intense process both emotionally and physically.
Gökçen Çatlı stated that the team was very professional, saying, "I can say that it represents a first in Turkey, both with the courage and bravery of making my father's film and with the fact that a real film about my father is being made."
Gökçen Çatlı expressed her excitement about the filming of her father's story, stating, "From the script writing to the shooting of the film, there were places where we brainstormed and discussed together. Because an objective film needed to come out. That was the truth. From this perspective, of course, it is not a documentary. It is a film that aims to tell a period through a person."
Gökçen Çatlı drew attention to the importance of the cinema film being permanent, continuing: "My book 'Babam Çatlı' was the starting point, but it was not limited to that. I also wrote 'Babam Çatlı 2 - Çatlı Reis.' That was also a book that was very impactful and well-received. 'Babam Çatlı' is a book written about 24 years ago. I still stand behind every line. The story of the film's emergence started with the book, but of course, to be more objective, our producer, our directors, and our screenwriter added different nuances."
"THIS FILM IS NOT A RECKONING, BUT AN INVITATION TO FACE THE PAST"
Selcen Çatlı, Abdullah Çatlı's youngest daughter, stated that she took on the role of script consultant for the film, drawing attention to the fact that they had actually wanted to make this film for many years. She emphasized that the film's meeting with the audience is very meaningful, concluding her words:
"Beyond the cinematographic structure, it is actually a responsibility for us as his children. Because an environment or opportunities to express themselves were not provided. You know, there are also our brothers who fought in the 1980s and became martyrs. They could never express themselves. We accepted to actively work within this film to express the realities experienced during that period, even if just a little. This film is not a reckoning, but an invitation to face the past."
ABOUT THE FILM
The film, produced by Safe Media, with creative direction and project responsibility by Onur Tan, and project consultancy by Ömer Faruk Sorak, has its script written by Onur Tan and Nevzat Erkul. Directed by Deniz Enyüksek, "Çatlı," which focuses on Abdullah Çatlı's years in Europe, features Vedat İnceefe, Şiva Behrouzfar, Eren Vurdem, Ömer Kurt, Engin Benli, Erdal Küçükkömürcü, Turgay Tanülkü, and Nizam Namidar. The film, which is nearing the end of its shooting, is planned to be released on March 20.