16.03.2018
Article: Melikşah Altuntaş
Translation: Leyla Aksu
One of recent Turkish cinema’s most talented cinematographers, Feza Çaldıran will be a festival guest not only with the screenings of Onur Saylak’s films Orman (The Jungle) and Daha (More), both featured in the festival program, but he will also be participating in a discussion on cinematography within the scope of the festival.
Having fit many important films and plenty of awards into his odyssey across Turkish cinema, which began by working as a camera assistant during the second half of the ‘90’s, let’s now take a look at some of Feza Çaldıran’s career highlights.
* Feza Çaldıran began his silver screen journey as a camera assistant on Yavuz Turgul’s Eşkıya (The Bandit) and Ömer Vargı’s Her Şey Çok Güzel Olacak (Everything’s Gonna Be Great), two films that heralded the rebirth of Turkish cinema and its reconciliation with audiences.
* After working with Derviş Zaim for the first time on Filler ve Çimen (Elephants and Grass), Çaldıran was then promoted from camera assistant to cinematographer on the director’s next film, Çamur (Mud).
* Also a camera assistant on Handan İpekçi’s Golden Orange winner, Büyük Adam Küçük Aşk (Big Man, Little Love),, he took on the role of cinematographer for the director’s later films, Saklı Yüzler (Hidden Faces) and Çınar Ağacı (The Plane Tree) as well.
* Having the opportunity to work with some of Turkish cinema’s most important directors still early in his career, Çaldıran also helmed the cinematography on some important debut features as well. Özcan Alper’s film Sonbahar (Autumn) not only got his name out but also earned Çaldıran the Best Cinematographer award from both SIYAD (Cinema Writers Association) and the Ankara Film Festival.
* Working on the small screen in addition to the many films in his filmography, Çaldıran got the chance to work in television as well, with the shows “Görüş Günü Kadınları” and “Diğer Yarım.”
* Assuming the role of cinematographer in mainstream cinema just as often as on independent productions, Çaldıran also helmed the cinematography on films such as Musallat (Haunted), Adab-ı Muaşeret, Siccin 2, and Öğrenci İşleri.
* Undertaking the cinematography for Özcan Alper’s second feature Gelecek Uzun Sürer (Future Lasts Forever), following the multi-award-winning debut Sonbahar (Autumn), this time Çaldıran received the Best Cinematographer award from the Adana Golden Boll Film Festival for his work on the film.
* Adding Erden Kıral to the list of master filmmakers he has worked with, Feza Çaldıran earned his second Best Cinematographer award from the Ankara Film Festival for his meticulous cinematography in the master director’s film Yük (Load); he then went on to work with Kıral once more, on the film Gece.
* Working with Ümit Ünal on Kaptan Feza, Kutluğ Ataman on Kuzu (The Lamb), Kazım Öz on Zer, and Türkan Derya on Çok Uzak Fazla Yakın, Çaldıran then proceeded to win a Golden Orange from Antalya for the film Meryem, thus gathering nearly all of the Best Cinematographer prizes that are awarded in the country.
* Having undertaken the cinematography for actor, writer, and director Onur Saylak’s short film, Orman (The Jungle), and his debut feature, Daha (More), which was shot shortly after, we will now get to see Çaldıran’s latest work in the soon to be released Arapsaçı.