
A depiction of social satire, Talihli Amele [The Lucky Worker] (1980) shows the transformation of a young man who immigrated to Istanbul to provide a better life for his family. With hopes to become a successful mason, he suddenly finds himself the star of a TV commercial. Drawing attention to the rising consumerism culture and its effects on individuals in Turkey, the film was allowed to be shown with a State Council verdict.
Directed by Atıf Yılmaz, Talihli Amele leans on a strong ensemble — İlyas Salman, Hümeyra, Metin Serezli — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1980.
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Guner Sernikli is a government official who, with his wife and their wheelchair bound daughter, has been assigned as the head librarian to this isolated province, virtually an exile since there is no library in the village. The family is warmly welcome, but these are the years of political anarchy and leftist/rightist clashes in big cities and the youth of the village inevitably follow the tides. They arrive in Vizontele, just as the situation is becoming really absurd. Guner brings wisdom; his daughter Tuba brings beauty, innocence and love. Some like the Mayor, Nazmi Dogan and crazy Emin appreciate these things but they are in the minority and confusion continues to reign. The story is based on the memories of writer-director Yılmaz Erdoğan of the last summer of his childhood in Hakkâri, Turkey in 1980.
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