Cahide Sonku: The First Turkish Female Director
What do you know about the first female director of Turkey?
Born in 1919, Cahide Sonku is known to be the first Turkish female director. She was a model, actress, and writer.
Sonku started her career in the sector early. She was accepted into Darülbedayi, Ottoman's first theatre and music school when she was 16. She was in several plays in Istanbul City Theatres. During her theatre career, she was discovered by Muhsin Ertuğrul.
Although her first film as an actress was known as Söz Bir Allah Bir, she claimed that it was when she was a stunt performer in Cici Berber. She claimed that being an extra or stunt performer is nothing to be ashamed of and should count as well. She performed in plays for years and acted in more than 30 movies. Aysel Bataklı Damın Kızı was when she was recognized as a successful actress. Her performance gave her fame, and she became a star.
Fedâkar Ana was the first movie she directed and produced. Then, her movie Vatan ve Namık Kemal won "the Best Movie" and "the Best Female Actress" awards in a competition held by Yıldız Magazine.
In 1949, she founded the Güneş Film Company with Sırrı Tulpar. However, her production company, "Sonku Film," was founded in 1950. Unfortunately, it went bankrupt in 1963 when a fire burned down the company building. She continued to work in the sector.
However, she had problems with her romantic and personal life. After her company went bankrupt and she lost her ex-husband and close friend, she gave herself to alcohol. Though she tried to regain her fame and get her passion for theatre and film back, she couldn't because of her mental health, and she fell into poverty. She died on March 18, 1981, in Alkazar Cinema Theater.
The Cahide Sonku Prize is awarded at the annual Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, and her legacy as the first female director of Turkiye lives on.
References:
http://www.istanbulkadinmuzesi.org/cahide-sonku
https://www.kadinyonetmenlerarsivi.com/en/cahidesonku
https://busanat.wordpress.com/2020/08/29/turk-sinemasinin-efsane-ismi-cahide-sonku/