The King of the Doorkeepers (Film)

The King of Doormen is a Turkish comedy film released in 1976. Directed by Zeki Ökten and based on a screenplay by Umur Bugay, the film was produced by Arif Keskiner. Starring Kemal Sunal in the lead role, it tells the story of Seyit, a doorman working in an apartment building in Istanbul. The film reflects the socio-economic and political dynamics of Turkey during that era through the microcosm of apartment life.

Plot

The King of Doormen centers on the life of Seyit (Kemal Sunal), a doorman in a large apartment building in Istanbul. Having migrated to Istanbul from Anatolia with his wife and two children, Seyit presents a simple and innocent appearance but is in fact cunning and highly skilled at navigating social situations. By cultivating good relations with the building manager and exerting control over events within the building, he successfully manipulates residents to his advantage. Throughout this process, Seyit gains both material and social benefits. Through the diverse personalities of the building’s inhabitants, the film explores themes such as social classes, migration, and economic conditions in 1970s Turkey.

Cast

• Kemal Sunal – Seyit
• Şevket Altuğ – Votkacı
• Güler Ökten – Fehmi’s Wife
• Bilge Zobu – Colonel Manager Zafer Bey
• Özcan Özgür – Mahir
• Ekrem Dümer – Doctor
• Can Kolukısa – Fehmi
• Feridun Çölgeçen – Sübeyit
• Sevda Ferdağ – Mahir’s Flatmate
• Hikmet Gül – Makbule
• Mete Sezer – Clerk Ferit
• Sevil Üstekin – Hacer
• Güner Sümer – Nuri
• Gülten Ceylan – Selma

Production Process

The King of Doormen was filmed in Türkiye in 1976. Director Zeki Ökten and screenwriter Umur Bugay shot scenes in various locations across Istanbul to capture the city’s apartment culture and social dynamics of the time. Produced by Arif Keskiner, the film adopted a simple yet effective production approach to realistically convey the socio-economic conditions of the era.

Thematic Structure

• Social Class and Migration: The film examines the place of a family migrating from Anatolia to a major city and the class distinctions they encounter. Seyit’s rise to dominance despite his lowly position as a doorman symbolizes social mobility.
• Cunning and Survival: Seyit’s cunning reflects the struggle for survival amid economic and social hardship.
• The Socio-Political Structure of the Era: The diversity of the apartment residents presents a microcosm of the socio-economic and political dilemmas of 1970s Türkiye.

Release and Reception

The King of Doormen premiered in Turkish cinemas on 1 May 1977. Upon release, it reached a wide audience and attracted attention for its comedic elements as well as its social commentary. It has since become one of the classic films of Turkish cinema.

Awards and Nominations

• 1977 Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival: Best Film – Won
• 1977 Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival: Best Actor (Kemal Sunal) – Won
• 1977 Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival: Best Screenplay (Umur Bugay) – Won