Yılmaz Güney, pioneering name of Kurdish cinema, passed away 42 years ago

Yılmaz Güney, the pioneering and creative name of Kurdish cinema, known as the Ugly King, director, actor, and screenwriter, lost his life 42 years ago today in Paris, the capital of France, due to stomach cancer.

Artistic Life and Cinema Career

Yılmaz Güney, the pioneering name of Kurdish cinema, took part in 114 films as an actor, 26 films as a director, 15 films as a producer, and 64 films as a screenwriter throughout his career. Winning the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival with his film Yol, the artist etched himself into memory with productions such as The Herd (Sürü) and Hopeless Ones (Umutsuzlar).

Early Life and Early Years

Born in 1937 as the child of a father from Siverek and a mother from Varto, Muş, Yılmaz Güney spent his childhood in Adana. Starting his cinematic life in 1959 with Atıf Yılmaz's films, Güney received a prison sentence due to a short story he wrote.

Prison and Exile Years

While shooting the film The Anxiety (Endişe) in 1974, Yılmaz Güney was arrested on charges of murdering a district judge at a night club and spent many years in prison. During his time inside, he published his ideas on cinema and art in Güney magazine.

French Years and Final Film

Fleeing abroad in 1981 from the Isparta Semi-Open Prison where he was on permitted leave, Güney continued his life in France. After going to Europe, he directed the film The Wall (Duvar), which focused on a riot that broke out in a children's ward.