Semih Hizal

Semih Hizal, born smack in the middle of Istanbul in ‘86, is the kind of guy who probably had a camera slung over his shoulder before he could even ride a bike. He’s not one of those big-talking, behind-the-scenes ghosts either—his name actually pops up in some pretty wild credits. You ever catch Pek Yakinda? That’s Semih’s touch all over it, capturing that offbeat energy only someone who grew up in the chaos and beauty of Istanbul could wrangle. Oh, and let’s not forget Taken 2—that’s right, the one where Liam Neeson just keeps getting angrier in more and more exotic locations. Semih was right there in the thick of it, shaping those gritty chase scenes, making Istanbul look both dazzling and dangerous. Then there’s Arif V 216, which, if you’ve seen it, is a whole other level of zany sci-fi comedy that only Turkish cinema could dream up. The guy’s got range, honestly. He’s not boxed in by genre or style—one minute he’s wrangling aliens and slapstick, the next he’s staging tense, heart-pounding action on the Bosphorus. His work is slick, but not in that soulless, over-produced Hollywood way. There’s always a little wink, a little bit of homegrown chaos in the frame. People who’ve worked with him say he’s obsessed with detail, always chasing that perfect shot, no matter how late the night runs. Honestly, if you’re into movies that actually pulse with life, you’ll want to keep an eye on whatever Semih’s doing next.