Ferzan Özpetek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ferzan Özpetek
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| Born | 3 February 1959 |
| Nationality | Turkish Italian |
| Occupation | Filmmaker |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Simone Pontesilli
(m. 2016) |
Ferzan Özpetek (born February 3, 1959) is a famous film director and writer from Turkey who also has Italian citizenship. He has lived in Italy since 1978 and is known for making many popular movies.
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About Ferzan Özpetek
Ferzan Özpetek was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1959. In 1976, he moved to Italy to study film history at Sapienza University of Rome. He also took classes in art history and costume design. Later, he studied directing at the Silvio D'Amico National Academy of Dramatic Art.
After gaining experience in theater, he started working in movies. He was an assistant director for several well-known filmmakers like Massimo Troisi and Sergio Citti.
His First Films
Ferzan Özpetek's first movie as a director was Hamam (also known as The Turkish Bath). This film was made with help from Italy, Spain, and Turkey. It came out in 1997 and was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie became popular and was released in over 20 countries.
In 1999, he directed Harem Suare. This movie was set in Turkey and told a love story during the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Ferzan Özpetek wrote the story himself with Gianni Romoli. This film was also shown at the Cannes Film Festival and other international festivals.
Popular Movies and Awards
In 2001, Ferzan Özpetek directed The Ignorant Fairies (Le fate ignoranti). This movie starred Margherita Buy and Stefano Accorsi. It was a drama about friendship and how different kinds of people can form strong bonds. The film won many awards, including three Globo d'oro and four Nastro d'Argento awards.
His 2003 film, Facing Windows (La finestra di fronte), was also very successful. It won five David di Donatello awards, which are like the Italian Oscars. The movie was so popular in Italy and Europe that it was released in North America too.
In 2005, he directed Cuore Sacro (Sacred Heart). This film received many nominations for the David di Donatello awards. The main actress, Barbora Bobuľová, won the Best Actress award for her role.
His 2007 movie, Saturn in Opposition, had a cast of many famous actors. It won several awards, including four Ciak d’oro and five Globo d'oro. One of the actresses, Ambra Angiolini, won an award for her first acting role in this film.
Later Works and Honors
In 2008, Ferzan Özpetek started working with a new production company. He also directed a movie based on a novel for the first time. This film, A Perfect Day, was shown at the Venice International Film Festival.
The Museum of Modern Art in New York City honored him in 2008 by showing all of his movies. This is a special honor given to only a few Italian directors.
In 2010, he released Loose Cannons. This comedy was about family issues in a city called Lecce, which is one of the few places he has set a movie outside of Rome. The city of Lecce even made him an honorary citizen.
In 2011, he was asked to direct the famous opera "La traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi at the Teatro di San Carlo opera house.
Filmography
| Year | English title | Original title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Hamam | Il bagno turco | |
| 1999 | Harem Suare | Harem Suare | |
| 2001 | The Ignorant Fairies | Le fate ignoranti | |
| 2003 | Facing Windows | La finestra di fronte |
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| 2005 | Sacred Heart | Cuore sacro | |
| 2007 | Saturn in Opposition | Saturno contro |
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| 2008 | A Perfect Day | Un giorno perfetto | |
| 2010 | Loose Cannons | Mine vaganti |
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| 2012 | Magnificent Presence | Magnifica presenza | |
| 2014 | Fasten Your Seatbelts | Allacciate le cinture | |
| 2017 | Red Istanbul | İstanbul Kırmızısı (Turkish) / Rosso Istanbul (Italian) | |
| 2017 | Naples in Veils | Napoli velata | |
| 2019 | The Goddess of Fortune | La dea fortuna | |
| 2023 | Nuovo Olimpo | ||
| 2024 | Diamanti |
Other Film Work
Ferzan Özpetek has also worked as a producer and an assistant director on several films:
- Producer: Cebimdeki Yabancı (2018)
- Assistant Director: Il tenente dei carabinieri (1986), Il maestro del terrore (1988), La Scorta (1993), Anche i commercialisti hanno un'anima (1994), Il Branco (1994)
Novels
Ferzan Özpetek is also an author and has written several novels:
- Rosso Istanbul (2013)
- Sei la mia vita (2015)
- Come un respiro (2020)
Awards and Honors
Ferzan Özpetek has won many awards for his films and directing:
- For Facing Windows:
- David di Donatello Award for Best Film
- Scholars Jury Award for Best Direction
- Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists for Best Original Story
- Karlovy Vary International Film Festival for Best Direction and Crystal Globe
- Bangkok International Film Festival for Best Film
- Foyle Film Festival for Best Feature
- Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, Audience Award for Best Feature
- Seattle International Film Festival for Best Film
- For Hamam (Il bagno turco):
- Golden Orange (Antalya International Film Festival) for Best Film and Best Direction
- Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Silver Ribbon award for Best Producer
- For The Ignorant Fairies (Le fate ignoranti):
- Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival for Best Feature
- New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival for Best Feature
- In 2008, he received the Italian Medal of Merit, a special honor from Italy.
See also
In Spanish: Ferzan Özpetek para niños
