Cahide Sonku (born Cahide Serap; 27 December 1919 – 18 March 1981) was a Turkish actress, model, writer and the first female film director in Turkey.[1] Sonku was the founder of her own movie production company, Sonku Film, in 1950. She was thrice married and divorced.

Cahide Sonku
Born
Cahide Serap

27 December 1919
Died18 March 1981(1981-03-18) (aged 61)
Occupation(s)Actress, model, writer, film director
Years active1933–1971
Spouse(s)Talat Artemel (1936–1938; divorced)
İhsan Doruk (1943–1954; divorced)
ChildrenEnder Doruk (daughter)

Life edit

Sonku' first theater and cinema experience was during her secondary school education. She was accepted into Darülbedayi when she was only 16 years old, and in time she took her place among the most popular actors of Istanbul City Theatres. She started acting with "Seven Village Zeynebi" first at the People's Houses Theater, then at the Istanbul Municipality Conservatory, and then at Darülbedayi (1932-City Theaters), discovered by Muhsin Ertuğrul who was an important figure in Sonku's career.

Sonku founded the production company "Sonku Film" in 1950 and however went bankrupt in 1963 due to a fire that burned down the company building. She continued working at the City Theater through Muhsin Ertuğrul's influence, then left and struggled with alcohol addiction in the last years of her life.

Sonku received the Turkish Film Critics Association service award in 1979 and died in 1981 at the Alkazar Cinema in Istanbul, at the age of 61. She was buried in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery. Cahide Sonku Prize is awarded in her memory at the annual Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.

 
Grave of Cahide Sonku, Zincirlikuyu Cemetery, Istanbul.

Cultural depictions edit

  • In 1989, the series Cahide is based from life of Cahide Sonku. It starring Hale Soygazi as Cahide.
  • In 2013, the short film "Kayıkçı" starring Merih Fırat as Cahide.
  • In 2014, the short film "100-5=Cahide" starring Farah Zeynep Abdullah as Cahide.
  • In 2016, the short film "Cahide" starring İpek Bilgin as Cahide.

[2][3][4]

Filmography edit

Year Film Duty Notes
Actor Director Producer Role
1933 Söz Bir Allah Bir Yes
1934 Bataklı Damın Kızı Aysel Yes Aysel
1940 Şehvet Kurbanı Yes
1940 Akasya Palas Yes
1942 Kıskanç Yes
1945 Yayla Kartalı Yes Nermin
1946 Senede Bir Gün Yes Nazlı
1947 Yuvamı Yıkamazsın Yes
1949 Fedakar Ana Yes Yes
1951 Vatan ve Namık Kemal Yes Yes Co-directed with Talat Artemel and Sami Ayanoğlu.
1952 Günahını Ödeyen Adam Yes
1953 Beklenen Şarkı Yes Yes Yes
1955 İlk ve Son Yes
1956 Büyük Sır Yes
1962 Ayşecik Yavru Melek Yes
1965 Yahya Peygamber Yes
1965 Korkusuzlar Yes
1965 Düşman Kardeşler Yes
1965 Beyaz Atlı Adam Yes
1965 Sevgim ve Gururum Yes
1966 Sevda Çiçeğim Yes
1966 Kovboy Ali Yes
1966 El Kızı Yes
1966 Çalıkuşu Yes
1966 At Avrat Silah Yes
1966 Sokak Kızı Yes
1967 Serseriler Kralı Yes
1967 Bizansı Titreten Yiğit Yes
1971 Mıstık Yes

References edit

  1. ^ "Cahide Sonku'nun hikayesi: Parlak ışıklardan bulaşıkçılığa". Posta. 4 March 2018. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  2. ^ http://www.kameraarkasi.org/yonetmenler/kisafilmler/kayikci_vecihiener.html
  3. ^ https://www.aksam.com.tr/magazin/cahide-sonkuya-hayat-verdi/haber-358124
  4. ^ https://www.trtizle.com/trtarsiv/cahide

External links edit