The Jackal (Çakal)

The Jackal (Çakal) is a 2010 Turkish feature film directed by Erhan Kozan from a screenplay by Sertan Telli, marking the feature debut of both men. After premiering in competition at the 47th Antalya Golden Orange International Film Festival, it opened nationwide in Turkey on December 17, 2010.

The story follows Akın, a quiet young man living in one of Istanbul's poor districts, whose life is thrown off course by his mother's death. Working since childhood in a wood-carving workshop, he dreams of stealing money from his employer and building a different life. When his girlfriend Deniz dismisses the scheme as absurd and walks out on him, he instead accepts an offer brought by his friend İdris. With nothing left to lose, Akın's reckless, fearless manner catches the eye of an underworld boss, and he rises swiftly through the criminal ranks. The fresh start comes at a price: it earns him new enemies, and the once-meek youth gradually turns into a hardened criminal known by the nickname 'the Jackal.'

İsmail Hacıoğlu stars as Akın, alongside Damla Sönmez, Uğur Polat, Erkan Can, Turgay Tanülkü and Haldun Boysan.