15.11.2026 09:10
Talat Bulut reacted sharply to Haluk Bilginer’s suggestion to use the phrase “cinema of Turkey” instead of “Turkish cinema.” Drawing attention to Bilginer’s British citizenship, Bulut criticized his colleague with the words, “Changing the 114-year-old identity of Turkish cinema is ingratitude.”
The debate that began years ago when Haluk Bilginer, in a statement, suggested using the term “Türkiye cinema” instead of “Turkish cinema” has now been joined by Talat Bulut. Speaking at a special screening held as part of the 114th anniversary of Turkish cinema, Bulut harshly criticized his colleague’s words, saying, “This is ingratitude.”
HALUK BİLGİNER’S PAST REMARKS SPARKED DEBATE
The remarks used by veteran actor Haluk Bilginer in an interview he gave in the past began to be debated again years later. In that interview, Bilginer said, “Shall we call it Türkiye cinema? Turkish cinema does not sound right to me,” suggesting that a different term be used to define the industry.
Bilginer’s statement pitted different views against each other regarding the definitions used in the cinema world.
HARSH REACTION FROM TALAT BULUT
On November 14, a special screening of director Orhan Oğuz’s film Her Şeye Rağmen was held at Beyoğlu Cinema. The film’s actors Talat Bulut and Şerif Sezer also attended the screening.
Speaking after the event, Talat Bulut drew attention to Haluk Bilginer’s British citizenship and said:
“For a British citizen who became famous in Türkiye and earned a lot of money in Türkiye to change the 114-year identity of Turkish cinema is ingratitude.”
ORHAN OĞUZ AND ŞERİF SEZER ALSO JOINED THE DEBATE
Director Orhan Oğuz, who was present at the screening, also expressed his view on the debate with the words, “They shouldn’t talk nonsense; of course it’s Turkish cinema.”
Actress Şerif Sezer, meanwhile, made an assessment in the same direction, saying, “Turkish cinema, of course.”