Ata Demirer: Humor makes my life easier

In 2004 he ventured into another TV comedy series, this time with an ensemble cast, the popular “Avrupa Yakası” (European Side), in which he portrayed Volkan, the overweight, annoying, useless and smalltime musician brother of the lead character played by Gülse Birsel, who also wrote the script. This led to Demirer earning an even wider following among Turkish TV viewers, making him one of the most popular comedians in the country.

In the meantime, he continued his original standup shows in addition to appearing in hit comedy movies, starting with 2004’s “Neredesin Firuze?” (Where’s Firuze?), directed by Ezel Akay.

This past week, Demirer presented his most recent big screen effort, the comedy “Eyyvah Eyvah” (Alack), for which he also wrote the script. In the film, directed by Hakan Algül, Demirer plays the role of Hüseyin, a young man from a Thracian village in Turkey whose sole love in life is his clarinet. However, one day Hüseyin is forced to leave behind his beloved city and go to İstanbul, where he meets a bar singer called Firuzan, played by Demet Akbağ.

Demirer speaks about his career and his newest film in an interview with Sunday’s Zaman.

You have said, “Without hardship, there is no humor.” What hardship led you to your film “Eyyvah Eyvah”?

I was going through a difficult time in my personal life, and my escape, which people call Plan B in these kinds of situations, was the North Aegean region. I felt like I was procrastinating and being a little lazy. It hit me when Arif Sağ asked me, “You keep acting here and there, but why don’t you write a script and see if it works out or not?” Writing the script was like a painkiller for me.

Hopefully you will no longer have any headaches.

Thankfully, I haven’t had any since. We had a premiere, and we screened the movie for the press. Our friends and families liked it a lot. I hope viewers will feel the same way.

There’s “Yahşi Batı,” “Recep İvedik 3” and “Eyyvah Eyvah.” Might it not be a disadvantage to have so many big comedies released in a row? You know, people may feel they have had enough laughing…

I prepared a film this season, and it ended up being released around the same time as the others. There’s no such thing as having laughed too much in movies. Good movies propel each other. Bad films have a negative effect on viewers. After all, that was Turkish cinema’s biggest fear. People would say, “It’s just like a Turkish film.” (laughs) So Turkish cinema has improved itself. If, as a comedian, I can make a comedy film within this change, if the viewers allow that, then I’ll only be very happy. Mine is a very Anatolian story. It’s about the funny story and world of a clarinet player who lives in a village in the North Aegean. It includes some sea salt as well. The story makes me feel good. I didn’t codify it because I don’t think codifying takes you to the right place. Go where your heart leads you… There you go, another cliché. (laughs)

In the movie, Hüseyin has the tendency to put the blame for his actions on someone else. Do you have a habit of doing that?

Not really, but it makes me laugh when people do that. I find that struggle hilarious. I went to an all-boys high school, so those kinds of things would happen a lot. There would be a student who would make another student talk, and when the teacher would catch them, he would convince the teacher that it was the other student’s fault and so the other student would get punished.

This is your first script. How do you feel?

While watching the movie at the premiere, I swear my heart was in my mouth. It was a very unusual feeling. I wasn’t that nervous the first time I went on stage. I also believe in fate. The first day I went on stage was Feb. 23, 1998 and -- 12 years later, on Feb. 23, 2010 -- I had my first premiere. This is fate. I had my first stage test 12 years ago, and now I have my script test. It’s hard to believe. It’s unusual. Here’s another line from the film: “All of this is scripted.” (laughs) What I know and what I like is this geography. This is me. Winning the viewers’ hearts is important; numbers are just relative.

Why does Hüseyin wear a muska [a prayer written on a piece of paper and wrapped in a leather or fabric pouch that is worn around the neck to protect the wearer from the evil eye]?

I wear one, too. One can wear it depending on what they believe and if they believe in the evil eye. It’s important to believe. I always carry it with me.

If this film is successful, will you write another one?

Let me quote from the film again: “I don’t make long-term plans.” Because they don’t work out. I sometimes come up with thoughts for these heroes, but I don’t even jot them down for later use because that is the wrong state of mind. That would put your efforts on a commercial platform. It would take away from its natural feel. You have to present something to the people because there is a need for it. If you can’t feel the need, the pen doesn’t move. I used that method only for commercials and nothing else. Otherwise, I do it pretty poorly.

Why not make long-term plans?

I think long-term plans are against nature and faith. I find it kind of presumptuous. One day, I was going to perform in İzmir. All the tickets had been sold. I was very happy. Then I wanted to water my geraniums, and I slipped, injuring my ankle. I couldn’t perform for one year. So why plan? I am a poor fellow who tries to do everything he can do in the short term. I am not up for any dares. No, thank you. They say you need to use the talent that you’ve been gifted with. It is God’s gift, and there is nothing more cheap than to boast about this. It’s not like you produced it. What’s important is that you are able to carry it. There are times that I haven’t been able to carry it. I hope God gives me the strength to do it. It’s very easy to go off track; it takes just one sentence.

Your mom is a central part of your life. What would happen if your mom were gone?

I hope God gives her a long life. You are talking about one of my biggest phobias. My mom is the most important thing in my life. She has more confidence in the film than I do. I am never confident. Did you know that I won’t rejoice right away when there is a goal? I’ll first look at the assistant referee. Once he points to the center point, I scream “score.” I have a system that is built on disappointment. I’m pitiful. Please help me -- I’ve turned into Güiza. (laughs)

If humor is a defense mechanism against life, were you more drawn to humor during your parents’ divorce?

I am sure I was. I remember myself when I was 13 years old. I was a kid who only communicated with animals. I had doves and canaries. Then humor replaced them. Humor makes my life easier.

Do you still have a bond with animals?

I have two canaries, a goldfinch which was born in a cage and an Italian goldfinch. It chirps in Italian, saying, “Roberto Roberto, Makarazi Makarazi.” (laughs) A genetic engineer managed to raise it in a cage. He gave it to me as a gift. I have two dogs. I mention one of them in a new play I am writing. Their names are Miço and Şeker. A fish in an aquarium is an idea that bothers me. I know what the bottom of the sea is like, and the idea of going back and forth inside a glass container makes me feel bad.

You dive and go fishing as well. Does the buoyancy of water work for you?

Apparently water is really buoyant. (laughs) This at least has been tested on me. If even I don’t sink, then water surely has buoyancy. I dive by holding my breath. I can dive about eight to 10 meters.

How do you feel when you’re under the sea?

I feel like I am traveling through another world. It’s very calm and quiet. The sea is very serious. You can write a poem about it or sing a song about it. But the moment you stop being sensitive toward it, it will cut you off. You know what I mean if you’re caught in a storm. Then you start reciting every prayer you know…twice. The sea is like a cat. It doesn’t get used to you, but it gets used to the home. It makes itself loved, but the moment it becomes furious, you need to respect it. I really feel bad for the Sea of Marmara. We are ruining it. Are we only interested in land? All we know about the sea is building a villa next to it. We killed the Sea of Marmara.

Our country is surrounded by seas on all three sides. What surrounds you?

That’s a great question. I have my mom and my brother on one side, my viewers on another and my dreams on the third. One of my dreams was to make a film, and I have achieved that.

ON INSTRUMENTS AND T-SHIRTS

Can you play the clarinet?

No, but I learned how to from Serkan Çağrı for the film. It was actually one of my dreams to learn it. The clarinet is like screaming. When I was studying at the conservatory, one clarinet went for 3,000 euros. I couldn’t buy it, so I played the oud. Maybe a left-handed clarinet was cheaper, but they didn’t have lessons for that. I could have chosen an oud while writing the script, but I intentionally chose the clarinet. I figured I would have to learn to play it. I’m happy with how much I can play, but I’d get beaten up if I were to play anywhere else.

Is there anything else you wish you could have done?

Piano. I bought a keyboard, and I made money by playing at bars. One of my other dreams was to play soccer. But I’m not talented, and physically, I wouldn’t be able to do it. I was always made to be the goalie when I was a kid. Maybe I can be a goalie. (laughs) But one day I would like to make a soccer movie -- I mean, I will.

Why do you always wear T-shirts?

You don’t have to worry about sizes with T-shirt. I can express myself. I like them a lot. They’re very comfortable. They’re not flashy. I don’t have any buttoned-down shirts. I bought one for a gala last year, but when I looked at the photos from that evening, I realized it just wasn’t me. I respect those who wear buttoned-down shirts, but it’s not for me. All those buttons -- they just make me feel like there is a lot of metal.

You won’t wear a T-shirt at your wedding, will you?

If I can find the right woman, I’m willing to even go in pajamas.

How many T-shirts do you have?

Probably like 500, but I give them away to those who like them.

You take your T-shirt off and give it to them right away?

Well, doing that is a bit risky, but I send it to their address. (laughs)