The Magician (Hokkabaz)

Hokkabaz is a 2006 Turkish comedy-drama that reached theaters that October. Cem Yılmaz wrote the screenplay on his own and shared directing duties with Ali Taner Baltacı. Carrying road-movie elements, the production had Cem Yılmaz receive coaching from Metin And to prepare for his role.

The plot follows İskender, who has regarded himself as a magician since childhood but is dismissed by everyone around him as a mere trickster. Forced to leave Istanbul with his close friend Maradona, İskender also brings along his father Sait, a Cyprus war veteran who has never been proud of him; the odd situations they run into on tour alternately pull the father and son closer and push them apart.

Cem Yılmaz plays İskender, Mazhar Alanson takes on the role of his father Sait, and Özlem Tekin also appears in the cast. The film made the shortlist for Turkey's submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 80th Academy Awards, ultimately losing that designation to Takva.