Let’s get to know you briefly. What have you done so far?
I dropped out of high school and worked various jobs until I found what I wanted to do. I’m making money from my hobbies, and that’s what keeps me motivated and successful. I am currently in the motorsports, defence, and real estate sectors.
What made you decide to produce a Turkish movie by a Turkish director? What was it that impressed you about the movie?
I participated in the project primarily as an investor, but there was a need for an English actor in the follow-up movie, and I took advantage of the opportunity. I had never acted before and I wanted to try it.
What issues did you face while shooting?
There was hardly anyone on the team who spoke English, and my translator wasn’t great, so that was a struggle. And we also had some challenging weather conditions.
You landed in Istanbul on a connecting flight from Tokyo to Madrid, and you missed the plane on purpose. What did you like about Istanbul?
I did miss my flight on purpose. I don’t regret it at all, because I had the most delicious kebab while sitting in my taxi with a Turkish woman I had met. When I came back to Istanbul a year later, the woman had a girlfriend and the kebab shop was closed due to the pandemic, so the story didn’t end very well.
You starred in the movie ‘Shame’. How do you evaluate your first acting job?
I think I should win an Oscar for my acting.
As a movie buff, what can you tell us about acting?
Acting is like going back to high school again, there is so much drama on set.
Why do you think so?
I’ve realized that what’s going on behind the camera is more dramatic than the movie itself.
Do you have any plans for future acting jobs?
I got an offer for a movie in Europe and in India, but I can’t tell you more until the project is finalized.
What excites and makes you happy, other than cinema?
The freedom to do what I want, when and where I want.
What do you want to do next?
I want to shoot a dark comedy movie in Turkey, and I want to make a documentary about the birth of human history here. Turkey has so many resources, including Göbeklitepe.
You are a businessman, yet you undertook the production of the movie ‘Shame’, even acting the leading role. How did you step into such a different sector?
I really wanted to enter the movie industry, and this movie was a door. Acting and cinema is my great passion. I took acting lessons and I worked with a successful acting coach on the set.
You say, “In the past, when cinema was mentioned, Hollywood came to mind, now Turkish-made films and TV series come to mind.” Why do you think this is?
I never watched Turkish TV since I don’t speak it, but I noticed how popular Turkish TV series are, especially in Latin America.
