Derviş Zaim is a screenwriter, producer and academic who is considered one of the most original and innovative directors of Turkish cinema. His cinema deals with traditional Turkish arts, the relationship between space and society, individual and social identity, cultural heritage and contemporary issues. He is known for his minimalist narrative, aesthetic design and experimental approach to cinema.
Life and Career Beginnings
Derviş Zaim was born in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1964. After graduating from Boğaziçi University, Department of Business Administration, he completed his master's degree in Cultural Studies at the University of Warwick in England. Before his career in cinema, he was interested in literature and documentary filmmaking. He entered the world of literature with his first novel “Ares in Wonderland” (1995), for which he won the Yunus Nadi Novel Award.
He made his transition to cinema in 1996 with “Coffin in a Box”, which he wrote and directed. This film is considered one of the most influential independent productions of Turkish cinema and won him many national and international awards.
Derviş Zaim at the 9th Sakarya International Short Film Festival -Anadolu Agency
Cinematographic Style and Themes
Derviş Zaim's cinema is shaped around main themes such as tradition and modernity, space and identity, East-West conflict and social realism. He draws inspiration from traditional Turkish arts; for example, he integrates these traditional art forms into his films by using calligraphy in “Waiting for Paradise”, miniature in “Gölgeler ve Suretler”, marbling in “Devir” and tile art in “Rüya”. He also explores the relationship between space and social structure, dealing with issues such as urbanization, nature-human conflict, exile and belonging. Zaim combines realistic and experimental cinema; he draws attention with his minimal use of dialog, symbolic expression and visual compositions.
Featured Films
1. Coffin in a Box (1996)
- The movie that made his debut in the cinema and made a big impact. It tells the story of a homeless man's struggle to survive in Istanbul.
- It won many awards at the Antalya Golden Orange and Ankara Film Festival.
2. Elephants and Grass (2000)
- It offers a critical view of Türkiye's political and social structure.
- It won the “Best Film” award at Antalya Golden Orange.
3. Waiting for Paradise (2006)
- A historical film centered on Ottoman calligraphy.
- It attracted attention with its visual design and art direction.
4. Shadows and Faces (2010)
- He describes the Cyprus issue and social conflicts with the aesthetics of miniature art.
5. Devir (2012)
- An experimental production inspired by the art of marbling.
6. Fish (2014)
- A movie about environmental awareness and the human relationship with nature.
7. Rüya (2016)
- He questions modern architecture with a narrative centering on tile art.
8. Flash Memory (2020)
- A movie about the effects of the civil war in Syria on humanity.
- He won awards at international festivals.
Awards and Achievements
Derviş Zaim has won numerous awards both in Türkiye and at international festivals.
- Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival (Best Film, Best Director)
- Ankara International Film Festival
- Adana Golden Boll Film Festival
- Tokyo International Film Festival
- Montreal World Film Festival
He is also a well-known director in the international film world and has served as a jury member at festivals in different countries.
Academic and Artistic Works
In addition to cinema, Derviş Zaim also works in literature, contemporary art and academic studies.
- He teaches documentaries and cinema courses.
- He develops artistic projects on cultural heritage.
- He integrates philosophical and artistic theories into cinematic expression.
Derviş Zaim is one of the most original and innovative directors of Turkish cinema. He has created his own style by combining traditional arts with the language of modern cinema and has gained a respected place in the international cinema world. His cinema has added depth to the cinema narrative in Türkiye with its aesthetic understanding that combines art and social criticism.
