Doga Can Anafarta

Doga Can Anafarta, born December 15th, 1987, in Ankara, is one of those directors who manages to leave his fingerprints all over Turkish cinema—sometimes cheeky, sometimes snappy, but always memorable. He’s the mind behind “Enes Batur: Gerçek Kahraman,” which, honestly, if you’ve missed it, you’re missing out on a wild ride of internet culture and hero antics mashed together in a way only Anafarta could pull off. The film doesn’t just poke fun at influencer life—it full-on dives in, making you laugh at the absurdity but also, weirdly, root for Enes in his over-the-top quest to prove himself. It’s the sort of movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still manages to say something about fame and what it does to people. And then there’s “Hababam Sinifi: Yeniden,” his 2019 reboot of a legendary classic. Now, rebooting anything “Hababam Sinifi” is basically walking into a lion’s den—Turkish audiences are picky about their nostalgia. But Anafarta? He leans into the chaos, updates the hijinks for a new generation, and somehow keeps the goofy charm of the original intact. You get the feeling he’s having a blast with it, and it’s contagious. Back in 2017, “Biz Size Döneriz” landed with a bang for anyone who’s ever felt lost after college, juggling dreams, friendships, and the general messiness of being in your twenties. Anafarta’s take isn’t preachy; it’s fast, funny, and occasionally bittersweet—just like real life. His films might not be pretentious, but they’re definitely alive, and that’s what makes his style stick.