Fatma Girik, born on 12 December 1942 in Istanbul, became one of the most prolific figures of Yeşilçam with an extensive filmography spanning from the late 1950s. Appearing in over 180 films, Girik earned a significant place in cinema history through leading roles in productions during the 1960s and 1970s. Throughout her career, she was honored multiple times with the “Best Actress” award at festivals such as the Antalya Golden Orange and Adana Golden Boll. Between 1989 and 1994, she served as Şişli Municipality. Known not only for her artistic contributions but also for her political and cultural work, Girik passed away on 24 January 2022.

Fatma Girik infographic (AA)

Childhood and Family Origins

Fatma Girik was born on 12 December 1942 in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul. Her family lived in Kocamustafapaşa, and a significant part of her childhood was spent in Sultanahmet near the Cedid Mehmed Efendi Medresesi, where her grandmother resided. Girik grew up in a medrese room alongside her uncles and sister, and due to economic hardships within the family, she became acquainted with work at an early age. She received her education at Cağaloğlu Girls’ High School, but during her high school years, she disclosed her interest in cinema to her family. Her father advised her that no matter what she chose to do, she must do it “like a man.”

First Steps into Cinema: Years as an Extra

Girik entered cinema as an extra at the age of 14. Accompanied by her mother, she visited film sets and made her debut as an extra in Seyfi Havaeri’s film “Leke” (1957), later securing her first leading role in the same film. She then appeared in the film “Murada Ereceğiz” (1958), directed by Memduh Ün.

A pivotal turning point in the artist’s career came with her performance in Memduh Ün’s film “Ölüm Peşimizde” (1960). After this production, she became more visible in the cinema industry and began taking on leading roles.

1960–1970: Productivity and Leading Roles

The 1960s marked the most intensive period of Girik’s film production. During these years, she played leading roles in both village-themed films and dramas addressing social structures. Her films include:

• Early period films between 1957 and 1960: “Memiş İş Peşinde”, “Leke”, “İstiklal Uğrunda”, “Çakır Eminem”, “Üsküdar İskelesi”, “Vatan ve Namus”
• Key productions from 1961 to 1965: “İki Damla Gözyaşı”, “Duvaksız Gelin”, “Küçük Beyefendi”, “Cengiz Han’ın Hazineleri”, “Bulunmaz Uşak”, “Yaralı Aslan”, “Köye Giden Gelin”, “Keşanlı Ali Destanı”, “Kartalların Öcü”, “Hırsız”
• Years 1966 to 1971: “Karakolda Ayna Var”, “Avare Kız”, “Yaprak Dökümü”, “Sürtüğün Kızı”, “Köroğlu”, “Menekşe Gözler”, “Boş Beşik”, “Şoför Nebahat”, “Kerem ile Aslı”, “Mahşere Kadar”

In 1962, her performance in Memduh Ün’s film Belalı Torun marked a distinct shift in her acting style, leading her toward different character types beyond dramatic roles.

This period is recorded as the time when Fatma Girik became one of the most recognized female actresses in Yeşilçam.

Cinema Work Between 1970 and 1980

The 1970s were a period during which Girik frequently appeared in both village and social films. Among the films in which she played leading roles during this time:

• 1972–1975: “Leyla ile Mecnun”, “Ekmekçi Kadın”, “Rabia”, “Ezo Gelin”, “Hz. Ömer’in Adaleti”, “Talihsiz Yavrum”, “Önce Vatan”, “Ağrı Dağı Efsanesi”, “Ana Kurban Can Kurban”
• 1976–1980: “Kadın Hamlet”, “Ana Ocağı”, “Hatasız Kul Olmaz”, “Gelincik”, “Yaşam Kavgası”, “Bağrıyanık”

During this period, in 1978, she co-founded the production company Can Film with Kemal Sunal.

Post-1980 Productions, Television and Cinema

Girik continued her cinema work during the 1980s, taking leading roles in films such as “Kanlı Nigar” (1981), “Gülsüm Ana” (1982), “Postacı” (1984), and “Yılanların Öcü” (1985). In 1987, following the decline of Yeşilçam, she reached television audiences with the TRT-produced series Gönül Dostları, a performance for which she was honored by the Ministry of Culture.

As the 1990s progressed, she appeared less frequently in cinema, returning to the screen in 2005 with “Sinema Bir Mucizedir” and again in 2012 with “Babalar ve Evlatlar”.

Awards and Artistic Recognition

The main awards received by Girik include:

• 1965 – II. Antalya Film Festival, Keşanlı Ali Destanı, Best Actress
• 1967 – IV. Antalya Film Festival, Sürtüğün Kızı, Best Actress
• 1969 – I. Adana Golden Boll Film Festival, Büyük Yemin and Ezo Gelin, Best Actress
• 1971 – III. Adana Golden Boll, Acı, Best Actress
• 1998 – 35th Antalya Film Festival, Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2001 – Istanbul International Film Festival, Honorary Award
• 2007 – 18th Ankara Film Festival, Aziz Nesin Career Award
• 2006 – Honorary Doctorate awarded by SDU Senate

In addition, she released two different 45 rpm records in 1965 and 1975.

(Honorary Doctorate - SDU)

Political Career: Mayor of Şişli

Fatma Girik entered politics in 1988 and was elected as Mayor of Şişli in the 1989 local elections as a candidate of the Social Democratic Populist Party (SHP). She held this position until 1994. During her mayoral term, she also developed programs addressing social issues, including the television program “Söz Fato’da” in 1990.

Final Years and Death

After the death of her life partner Memduh Ün in 2017, Fatma Girik lived for a time in Bodrum. She was undergoing treatment for various health issues.

The artist passed away on 24 January 2022 due to multiple organ failure that developed during treatment for viral pneumonia caused by COVID-19. Her funeral was held in Bodrum, Muğla, where she was buried beside Memduh Ün.

(AA)

Place in Cinema History

According to source materials, Fatma Girik’s cinema career consisted of over 180 films, spanning from the 1950s to the 2000s. Due to both the number of films and her festival successes, she is counted among the most productive actors of the Yeşilçam era. Türkan Şoray, Hülya Koçyiğit and Filiz Akın are recognized alongside her as part of the “four-leaf clover” of Yeşilçam.