Erkan’s old student gets inheritance

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

Metin Erksan, director, has left his inheritance to his former student and assistant, Zeynep Özlem Havuzlu.

One of the greatest filmmakers in Turkish cinema, prominent director Metin Erksan who died on Aug. 4 in Istanbul, has left his inheritance to his former student and assistant, Zeynep Özlem Havuzlu. Erksan prepared his will in 1999, calling Havuzklu his “daughter, [his] only friend.”

Erksan’s will has raised eyebrows and his nieces Enise Demet Gül and Methiye Tüliten have rejected the decision, saying they will take the case to court.

Erksan wrote in his will, “I am leaving all my unpublished writings, all the books, all my legal rights and property to Zeynep Özlem Havuzlu.”

Erksan directed “Susuz Yaz” (Dry Summer), a 1964 black-and-white film that won Turkey its first international cinema awards. The film, which was adapted from a short novel by Necati Cumalı, won the Golden Bear at the 14th Berlin International Film Festival and the Biennale Award at the 29th Venice Film Festival. The film was also selected as the Turkish entry for “Best Foreign Language Film” at the 37th Academy Awards.

Featuring late actor Erol Taş as a tobacco farmer who selfishly dams a river to irrigate his own property and ruin his competitors, the film is also available in an English-dubbed U.S. theatrical release produced by William Shelton and directed by David E. Durston, titled, “Reflections.”