Veteran director Memduh Ün dies at 95

ISTANBUL

DHA Photo

Decorated Turkish cinema director Memduh Ün has died at a hospital in Bodrum following a long period of treatment. He was 95. 

Ün, who lived with his partner, well-known actress Fatma Girik, in the Torba neighborhood, was taken to Acıbadem Hospital last year on Nov. 11 for treatment and had remained in the intensive care unit since then.  

Girik had been at his bedside since then. “He was my everything; my partner for 56 years. I was with him more than with my family. I still can’t believe it,” she said. 

In an interview two years ago, Girik explained her love for Ün, saying: “Memduh is in his 90s and very precious to me. He is my first and last love. If I am born again, I would become an artist and fall in love with him again.”

Born in 1920, Ün was a film producer, director and screenwriter. He was also a former football player. After leaving football, he launched a cinema career with the stage name of Turhan Ün in 1947. He established the Yakut company in 1951 with Arşavir Alyanak before establishing his own production company, Uğur Film, in the same year. 

He won many awards throughout his illustrious career.