The documentary "Ferhangi Bir Yaşam" met with its audience

ENKA Sanat is adding a new one to the documentaries it sponsors to showcase the rich heritage of our theatre history and pass it on to future generations.

"Ferhangi Bir Yaşam," a documentary that examines the artistic life of Turkish theater veteran and film and television actor Ferhan Şensoy, premiered last night at the ENKA Open Air Theater. Sponsored by ENKA Sanat and produced by Porte Film, the documentary focuses on the artistic life, theatrical approach, character, worldview, and authorship of Ferhan Şensoy, who holds a unique place in Turkish theater.

The documentary "Ferhangi Bir Yaşam" was directed by Selçuk Metin, written by Zeynep Miraç, directed by Emre Okur, composed by Cem Öget, and vocalized by Nihal Yalçın.

"IT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE ENCOUNTERED SO MUCH VISUAL MATERIAL IN A DOCUMENTARY"

Speaking at the documentary's premiere, the documentary's director, Selçuk Metin, said:

So, this is a project I actually wanted to do while I was alive, but couldn't get going due to the pandemic. We talked a lot about it back then, but it happened today. But of course, this is every documentarian's dream. Making a documentary about Ferhan Şensoy was one of my biggest dreams, and it came true. I hope viewers enjoy it. This is the first time I've encountered so much visual material in a documentary. Because until now, I've always struggled to even find photos, but we've now obtained invaluable footage for Turkish theater. Behind the scenes, the experiences on tours—these are always told as legends: we'll get on a bus and travel all over Anatolia. But this time, we've found the video recording. We witnessed those legendary, dire circumstances. Because Ferhan Şensoy is also a very serious archivist, he filmed and preserved these very well. Therefore, it's a documentary that differs visually from other documentaries, but its content follows the same narrative path.

“I ALREADY KNEW HIS LIFE A LOT”

Zeynep Miraç, who wrote the documentary, said:

We've been working with Selçuk Metin for a long time. Making a documentary about Ferhan Şensoy, both in these and other documentary projects, has always been a dream of ours. We spoke with him and told him this while he was alive. He was very well-liked, but we're deeply saddened that it wasn't possible; his health was not allowing it. Then, after a while, making this film felt like a legacy to us. Of course, like many theatergoers and many people of my generation, I'm a Ferhan Şensoy fan. I was already quite familiar with his life, but delving into more details was a very gratifying experience for me.

"THEY HAVE COME TO WITNESS FERHAN ŞENSOY'S LIFE"

ENKA Art Coordinator Murat Ovalı said:

The Ferhan Şensoy documentary is our fourth production with Porte Film's Selçuk Metin. We first started with Genco Erkal, and we shot "Genco" together. Then we made "Caniko" for Yıldız Hanım. Then we cast Işıl Kasapoğlu, one of Turkish theater's most important directors. It was Ferhan's turn. We had discussed this project with him when he was healthy, and we were going to film it. But then he got sick, as you know. After that illness, we, keeping our promise to him, embarked on this project with his family and the Şensoy family, and we've come this far. We are so proud and happy right now. An incredible crowd has come to witness Ferhan Şensoy's life, and we are so excited. We will repeat this here on Monday, the 8th. That evening, we will be with Ferhan Şensoy's fans again.