Famous director dies aged 82

ISTANBUL

Veteran Turkish director and producer Ülkü Erakalın has died at the age of 82 in an Istanbul hospital, where had been receiving treatment. 

Born in 1934, Erakalın was a graduate of the Istanbul Municipality Conservatory Music Department. His professional art life started in 1958 when he worked as the assistant of director Ömer Lütfi Akad. 

He made his first film, “Unutamadığım Kadın” (The Woman that I Never Forget), in 1961 and nearly 200 films came after it. 

He won the 3rd best film award in 1972 at the Antalya Film Festival for “Üvey Anne” (Step Mother) and in 1972 he won the Best Film Award at the 1st Istanbul International Film Festival for his film “Ben Sana Mecburum” (You Are A Must For Me). He received the Antalya Film Festival Honorary Award in 2009. Erakalın also wrote four books. 

His funeral ceremony was held yesterday at the Teşvikiye Mosque and he was buried in the Kulaksız Cemetery.