“Ezel Akay is getting ready to appear before  the audience with her latest movie “Osman  Eight “. The famous director, whom we longed for with “9 Times Leyla” at the beginning of the year, refreshes our cinema with new projects in a process that he calls “the most productive

period of my life”.“Osman Eight”, produced by Omer Kaya, is a modern and absurd comedy. Begum Birgoren and Tim Seyfi are in the leading roles. The scenario of the movie belongs to actress Kemal Ucar where we can see Ezel Akay’s fabulous world again with colors and different objects. Ezel Akay answered our questions between sets of the movie “Osman Eight”, which he shot in a historical mansion in Goztepe.

You met with audience with “9 Times  Leyla” on Netflix at the beginning of this  year, after a 10-year hiatus. How was to  come back?

It was a unique period. We shot at the beginning of last year, but we had to wait when the epidemic process intervened. The movie met with a wide audience thanks to  Netflix. It was watched from all over the  world. This feeling was, of course, very nice. First, after a long time meeting with the  audience, then, shooting about a woman

story made me happy. Moreover, our cast was very strong. I worked with persons I love very much, such as Demet Akbağ, Haluk  Bilginer, Elçin Sangu, Fırat Tanis, and Alican Yücesoy. Its topic was about Lilith. Lilith is a very important female figure in human history. She has a very special character that I cannot ending to express it. I feel very happy.

Speaking of Netflix, can we talk about the  power of digital platforms?

Of course, we have to talk. Digital platforms  in Turkey and in the world possess their own much. unique and great power. Digital platforms gained the power of cinema in the past and then television. We can access movies and TV series with different tools on the internet. Regarding it Netflix supports the film industry with its very different content and resources. They will never own the magic of the screen, but their comfort and time constraint are very essential. I am happy that they exist. If there was no Netflix, we would still be waiting for “9 Times Leyla”.

How is the character of the story “Osman  Eight”? What can you tell about the movie?

“Osman Eight” was written by the actor Kemal Ucar, and it was produced with our producer Omer Kaya’s investment It has been a very long preparation process. We narrate a writer’s extraordinary life who works at home. Our writer has created a very different life for himself with his  powerful fantasy world. We present this life in strong humor. The audience should be ready. Absurd comedy and again the world of colors await them. I hope they like it very much.

Begum Birgoren and Tim Seyfi are at the  leading roles in “Osman Eight”. How did you  come together?

When I got the scenario, I thought that  different actors should play these roles. Our producer had already done a study on this topic. Begum Birgoren and Tim Seyfi were very compatible. Both of them loved the scenario very much. Our scenario writer, Kemal Ucar, also plays. He is a good actor as well. Definitely, a movie with powerful actors  and a wide audience was obtained.

You graduated from Bogazici University  as a mechanical engineer. You have never  worked in your profession. Do you wish you  studied art?

When I studied engineering, there was a trend in our country. I would be either an  engineer or a doctor. Obviously, I did not think about studying art, but I supposed  that being a member of all art clubs met my need. If it were right now, yes, I would

definitely study art. Because it is not easy  to study engineering at Bogazici university. However, I still experience benefits of my education. For example, it helps me a lot in solving problems.

It has been 25 years that you first started  as a producer in your cinema adventure.  What are your plans in the upcoming  period? What will you do?

Right, it has been a long pause, but I have worked on some projects during this period. Namely, there are several scenarios to wait  for being filmed. Preparations have already  started for some of them, so you can expect  me with new projects in a short time. All of them are in different styles and attractive topics. There is a new cinema perceptive here. Especially, the digital platform caused to reveal a new audience. Therefore, technological developments are important and I am looking forward to them.

What is the most difficult challenge in  Turkish cinema?

Of course, financial challenges. Nobody  wants to invest on new actors. There are some rules, otherwise, it is not easy to find  an investor to violate them. Especially, it is rather essential to support youth. There are currently hundreds of young director candidates awaiting to shoot their first movies. It is necessary to find out and encourage them. A developed cinema industry and audience culture could be established only in this condition.

How is your relationship with young people? I am always with them. I train, make  speeches, or counsel voluntarily. It is not possible to count the number of scenarios I  read. There are some interesting ones among them. I always recommend not giving up of  art. This path could be long and powerful, but it is worth struggling.

You are also experienced in directing  commercials.

I directed commercials, most of them are still remembered. Of course, there were great  teams with me. I initiated with “Common sense”, “10 thousand hundred thousand  bubbles”, “I think BMC” where Ibrahim Tatlises was a truck driver, and directed  nearly a thousand commercials. I think I am the only director who shot the most commercials in Turkey. Finally, I shot a commercial for a cleaning company with Mert Firat.

What do you think when you say beauty?

It could be be cliché, but beauty really means “naturality”. Natural things are always glamorous. It has allure in his own silence. Of course, tiny touches are good. Plastic surgery is incredible successful in this field. Only provided being in natural conditions! Beautiful is always wonderful.