Final Meeting (Documentary, Film)

Final Meeting is a documentary film completed in 2007 and released on 14 November 2008, directed and written by Nesli Çölgeçen. The film, produced by Turkish, has a runtime of 78 minutes.

The documentary focuses on the lives of the last three veterans of the Turkish War of Independence: Gazi Nişancı Er Ömer Küyük, Gazi Yakup Satar and Gazi Sıhhıye Onbaşı Veysel Turan. Filming was completed in 2007 and the narrative is constructed without dramatization, relying solely on direct observation and natural dialogue. In this regard, it exemplifies the concept of “real cinema.” The film features no actors or scripted roles; only the veterans and their family members recount their own lives.

Final Meeting is a documentary film centered on the lives of three veterans who witnessed the foundation of the Republic of Türkiye. The documentary begins with an interview with Gazi Nişancı Er Ömer Küyük, followed by visits to Gazi Yakup Satar in Eskişehir and Gazi Veysel Turan in Konya. As a result of these encounters, Gazi Ömer Küyük, Gazi Yakup Satar and Gazi Veysel Turan achieve reconciliation.

The film has recorded not only the personal life stories of these three veterans but also their collective memories of the War of Independence.

Final Meeting is a 2007 documentary film directed, produced and written by Nesli Çölgeçen. It was released on 14 November 2008. The production was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye, Directorate of Copyright and Cinema, and embraces the philosophy of real cinema.

The editing process was led by Ahmetcan Çakırca, and the sound design was handled by Mehmet Ali Arslan. Graphic design was carried out by Desart. Cinematography was conducted by Nesli Çölgeçen, Fatih Aydoğdu, Berrin Avcı Çölgeçen, Ahmetcan Çakırca and Tamer Uygun. The sound recording was done by Fatih Aydoğdu, and the music was composed by Nadir Göktürk. Berrin Avcı Çölgeçen served as the production manager. The production company is Plan Prodüksiyon, and the distributor is Chantier Films.

The film was shot using the “real cinema” approach, devoid of fictional elements. There are no pre-written dialogues or staged interventions. All footage captures moments as they naturally occurred; instead of formal interviews, the film presents scenes based on everyday natural dialogue and observation. Filming took place in 2007 across multiple locations and over several periods.

One of the film’s central figures, Gazi Nişancı Er Ömer Küyük, is from Çatkara village in the İskilip district of Çorum. He was 108 years old during filming. Despite his age, he maintains an active lifestyle, offering a portrait deeply intertwined with his daily existence. He passed away on 12 December 2006.

Born in 1898 in Crimea, he actively served as a Cavalry Sergeant during the First World War and the Turkish War of Independence. He was 110 years old during filming. Satar, who lived in Eskişehir, passed away on 2 February 2008.

Gazi Sıhhıye Onbaşı Veysel Turan, who lived in Konya, joined the army at the age of 15 as a medic and served as a medic sergeant. He was 108 years old during filming. He passed away on 25 January 2007.

The documentary also features members of the families of the veterans: from Gazi Ömer Küyük’s family — İsmail Küyük, Hüseyin Küyük, Mustafa Küyük, Satı Küyük, Fatma Küyük, Hacer Küyük, Ahmet Küyük, Mehmet Küyük and Hatice Yıldız; from Gazi Yakup Satar’s family — Zekiye Tali, Meliha Işıkada, Bedriye Kalaş and Asiye Karakuş; and from Gazi Veysel Turan’s family — Saniye Turan, Mahmut Hakkı Turan and İsmail Uçar.

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The documentary aims to reconstruct a collective social memory through individual testimonies. The life stories of the three individuals who directly participated in the founding of the Republic of Türkiye serve to remind the state and society of their historical roots. The film also explores themes of aging, memory, historical consciousness and national identity.

The production has been widely praised by critics and audiences. Final Meeting is a documentary record of the final witnesses of an era. It highlights not just three individuals but the collective struggle of a people. Through the memories of the veterans featured in the film, the personal reflections of national history are conveyed to the viewer.