Erkenci Kuş (Dreamer Bird) It was the series that made us discover Can Yaman in Spain a few years ago, also launching him to international fame. The Turkish star not only unleashed the fever for Ottoman series in our country, but also opened the door to many other of his compatriots.. The protagonist of Violet like the sea, A true reference in romantic comedy, he has decided to take a turn in his career and we have spoken with him.
© Getty ImagesThe actor has in his portfolio two new projects, Sandokan and The Turkishambitious productions where he has recorded in English and Italian, respectively. This Friday, Yaman turns 35 and a few days ago he visited Cádiz to receive the International Honorary SISF Member Award, an award for his professional career and his charitable work, an award that he collected within the framework of the South International Series Festival.
The performer arrived in the smell of crowds, with a legion of fans who gathered – despite the rain – at the doors of the Andalusian city’s Congress Palace for hours to embrace their idol. During the press conference, we had the opportunity to chat with him about his work and his next challenge in our country.
© Getty ImagesCan Yaman is more than satisfied with the professional moment he is going through. Furthermore, being a man who likes challenges, he has set a new goal: to work in Spain. To do this, he is learning our language and, although he told us “hello” and announced that “I have been studying Spanish for a month, but I am not ready to speak it 100%”, he also acknowledged that he still cannot answer the questions in our language.
Regarding the South Festival, he assured that “I am happy to know this young competition focused on series. I feel happy to be able to come at this moment in which I have begun my flirtation with Spanish and, of course, very grateful for this recognition “It gives me the opportunity to practice your language. I hope it becomes a habit,” he began explaining before the questions.
© Getty ImagesWhat do you think is the key to the international success of Turkish series?
Can Yaman (CY): I have been living in Italy for four years now; I arrived when I was just in my thirties. And I’ve been asked this several times there, but I think this question should be answered better by producers, professionals… I’m just an actor. But, if I have to find an explanation, I would say that in my country there are so many channels operating at the same time that it is a real jungle. There is fierce television competition, so if something doesn’t work in three episodes, they eliminate it directly.
All of this has created a need to survive that sharpens ingenuity in a big way. And another factor is that in Türkiye there is no such European limitation of rights, so a lot of work is done. There are days of up to eighteen hours, even without sleep, and because of this ‘illegality’ a lot is produced. But it is a pride that Turkish series can come out and succeed all over the world. Even in the Anglo-Saxon market we have managed to be leaders.
© Getty ImagesRight now you have two new series: Sandokan and The Turk What can you tell us about these works?
CY: I have already finished filming both. They are two colossal projects, very different from what I had done in Türkiye, where I became famous with romantic comedy. Then, in Italy, I started filming a police thriller, Violet like the sea, and Sandokan It was the reason I moved to Italy in 2020, as bad luck came with COVID, the conditions became very difficult and, unfortunately, the recording was suspended. In the midst of that, they offered me another series that allowed me to enrich my career, The Turkwhich ironically has been produced in Italy.
© Ay YapimThe trailer for The Turkish and it is spectacular. What is the plot?
CY: It is the story of an Ottoman expelled from the empire as a traitor, who has to go into exile. He arrives in an Italian city, falls in love and ends up becoming a leader. In a certain sense, the character is similar to me, from the moment I read the script I was very excited. It is the first time that a Turkish series is filmed in English with an international cast and I feel very proud to have been able to work under those conditions.
© South International Series FestivalHow many times have you come to Spain?
CY: About ten.
What do you think of our country?
CY: Spaniards and Turks have something in common: we both work very well. Although this comparison is not about the illegal hours worked in Türkiye, but about the effort we put into doing things right. There are many channels and a lot is produced in Spain; You are very aggressive in the fight for the development of the industry. Turks and Spaniards can work perfectly and make a fantastic match.
© Getty ImagesWhen is a series in Spanish coming?
CY: Right now, Ay Yapim, the producer of The Turkis working to be able to develop projects in Spain and, therefore, I am preparing with a teacher in Rome with whom I take Spanish classes four hours a day six days a week. In one month I have made great progress, now I am very focused on the goal of learning Spanish well so I can soon film in Spain in the language.
© South International Series Festival / @reynafotografoDespite the rain, your fans are out there waiting and cheering for you. How is the fact of raising so many passions managed on an emotional level?
CY: I always say it, it’s something very special that not everyone can fit into. It is a very peculiar experience that perhaps many American actors live, but outside of there, few live it, and, being Turkish, it is even more difficult to endure. But for me it is a dream. I thank God every day for as much love as the fans give me. I thank them for always coming to see me in any situation: with rain, with COVID… they don’t care, because they are always there. The fans love me and that moves me a lot.
© South International Series Festival / @reynafotografoAren’t there days when you wake up thinking about what your life would be like if you had continued with your law career?
CY: I often think what would have happened to me if I had remained a lawyer. I think he would have been an international lawyer, with ambitions to go abroad. I would have looked for professional challenges, just as I look for them in my acting career. I wouldn’t have stayed like a provincial lawyer, not even in Istanbul, I would have traveled and succeeded internationally, I would have still been famous (laughs). But I’m happy that things have turned out this way.
© Getty ImagesAt the end of his visit, Can Yaman not only received recognition, but also the opportunity to show his support to those who need it most. Before leaving Cádiz and taking advantage of the moment in which he collected his prize, he made an emotional gesture towards DANA victims in Spain.
© Gatty ImagesThe protagonist of the wrong man shared his sensitivity by stating that, for him, “it is an honor to receive this award in a country that I respect very much, and I cannot help but remember those who are suffering in these difficult times.” With his words, he addressed those who have experienced first-hand the harsh consequences of the intense rains and floods that have affected several Spanish autonomous communities, showing their solidarity and empathy at such a complicated time.