Ezel Akay, a visionary and multidimensional individual, burst onto the scene in 1961, setting the stage for a remarkable journey that would subsequently branch out in numerous diverse directions. His academic pursuits took him to the prestigious halls of Bosphorus University, where he diligently honed his engineering expertise, subsequently redirecting his scholarly focus to Villanova University, where he delved deeply into the captivating realm of theatre arts, allowing his creative energies to flourish and his artistic horizons to expand.
Before embarking on a career in film production, Akay's innate passion for the performing arts, which had been simmering deep within his creative soul, compelled him to participate in a multitude of theatre productions, showcasing his remarkable adaptability, artistic range, and multifaceted talents as both a skilled actor and visionary director.
Akay's entrance into the world of film production was marked by a profoundly significant partnership with the illustrious director Dervis Zaim, which collectively resulted in the creation of the highly acclaimed feature film "Somersault in a Coffin". This groundbreaking cinematic masterpiece made its debut in the year 1996 and would go on to garner an astonishingly large number of prestigious international awards, thereby solidifying its status as a pioneering work in the realm of Turkish cinema, a testament to its lasting impact and influence on the film industry, leaving an indelible mark on the world of cinema that continues to be felt to this very day.
As the curtain of acclaim and accolades continued to unfold in the wake of "East is East", Akay's reputation as a visionary producer reached new heights, prompting him to take on an executive producer role in the cinematic masterpiece "Journey to the Sun", a film that would soon follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, garnering widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards at prominent international film festivals, including the esteemed Berlin Film Festival, a testament to Akay's unwavering commitment to excellence and his ability to spot and nurture talent.
Yesim Ustaoglu
