Yesterday, Tuncel Kurtiz, died at the age of 77. Kurtiz was one of Turkey’s most respected actors, both on stage and on set. In his early years he also played in theatres across Europe, including Göteborg, Stockholm, Frankfurt am Main, London, he also appeared on the Berliner Schaubühne. Most known through his leading part in Yilmaz Güney’s acclaimed film “Sürü” (The Herd) which received the Golden Leopard in Locarno in 1979, he recently starred in one of the most successful currently broadcasted Turkish TV series called “Muhtesem Yüzyil” (Fantastic century) which turned out to become a bestseller in numerous Arabic countries, challenging the stereotype of gender roles in contemporary Muslim societies.
Since his early years Kurtiz is known for his sociocritical, leftist position. As many of his generation he was pleasantly surprised about the civil uprise by the young people forming the Gezi movement, and publicly gave them support.
This is his last video message only a few weeks before he died in his house on the country side where he always felt to belong to.
Tuncel Kurtiz – Diren Gezi Parki
Video lyrics: “From the bottom of my heart I give support to our young generation, so far considered as being apolitical, in their endeavour to fight for their rights. With the dead soil being rised on behalf of them I hope that things will change to the better.”
Resist Gezi Park, resist! You are beautiful. Your are very beautiful kids!
Farewell, Tuncel Kurtiz.