Aleko Aleksandru

Born smack in the middle of Istanbul back in ‘43, Aleko Aleksandru is one of those names that’s been floating around Turkish cinema for decades—kind of a behind-the-scenes mainstay, you know? Editing isn’t exactly the flashiest gig, but honestly, where would movies even be without someone like him splicing things together, making sure every jump cut lands just right? People mostly know his work from the early ‘70s, that wild era when Turkish films had this raw, gritty vibe. Think Canim Kardesim in ’73—yeah, that one’s a heartbreaker. Total cult classic territory, got a real punch to the gut if you’re even half paying attention. Then you’ve got Karaoglan Geliyor and Kallesler, both from ’72. These flicks are nothing like the polished blockbuster stuff you see today. They’re scrappy, almost rough around the edges, but man, that’s part of the charm. Aleksandru’s editing style? Kinda unfiltered, keeps things moving, never lets the audience get too comfortable. You can tell he was all about pace, rhythm, and making sure the emotion didn’t get lost in translation. It’s funny, people talk about directors and actors like they’re the only ones who matter, but editors like Aleko? They’re the unsung heroes, stitching together chaos into something watchable, sometimes even beautiful. His fingerprints are all over those films, even if he never hogged the spotlight. Istanbul’s film scene wouldn’t be the same without him, no lie.