KING OF THE DOORMEN

KING OF THE DOORMEN (KAPICILAR KRALI), 1976

Turkey | DVD, Color, 84’ | Turkish

Director:Zeki Ökten

Cast:Kemal Sunal, Şevket Altuğ, Güler Ökten, Sevda Ferdağ

The film is set during the years when migration from rural areas to big cities was rising. Seyit has come to Istanbul with his wife and two kids in pursuit of a better life and works as the janitor of a multiunit apartment block while his wife cleans houses. The residents of the building where they live are all different characters reflecting the socioeconomic structure of the period. Though Seyit looks like an ordinary and inoffensive man, actually he is aware of everything going on in the building and always gives priority to the wealthier residents to compensate for the meager janitor’s salary they give him. Directed by Zeki Ökten, the film uses the apartment building as a metaphor to hold a mirror up to the Turkey of the times.