Biyograficim
Son Bulusma

Last Meeting (Son Bulusma) (translated)

Movie · 2008 · 3 people

Three of the last surviving witnesses of the War of Independence (1919-1923), Ömer Küyük, Veysel Turan and Yakup Satar, share their memories and everyday lives in Son Buluşma (The Last Meeting). Nesli Çölgeçen wrote and directed this Turkish documentary, which was made in 2007 and reached audiences in 2008.

The narrative is organised around the journey of “Nişancı Er Ömer” (Marksman Private Ömer) of Çorum. He begins by calling on his commander, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, at Anıtkabir in Ankara, and then goes to see his old comrades: “Sıhhiyeci Onbaşı Veysel” (Combat Medic Corporal Veysel) in Konya and “Süvari Yakup” (Cavalryman Yakup) in Eskişehir. In the shooting days of 2006 Ömer Küyük was 106, Veysel Turan 105 and Yakup Satar 108. Together they look back on wartime and bid each other farewell. The route runs between Ankara, Konya and Eskişehir.

All three veterans died soon after the footage was shot, so none of them could attend the premiere held on 14 November 2008 in Çorum, Ömer Küyük's hometown. While preparing the film, Çölgeçen did not know of another veteran of the war, retired Colonel Mustafa Şekip Birgöl, who was remembered as the last veteran when he died in Istanbul on 11 November 2008, aged 105.

DirectorNesli Çölgeçen
Last Meeting (Son Bulusma) Last Meeting (Son Bulusma)

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Cast

Ömer Küyük Ömer Küyük Marksman · 1900 – 2006 Veysel Turan Military Personnel · 1901 – 2007 Yakup Satar Soldier · died at 110

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Through different eyes

History & Society Lens Asks about the period, the social background and what the work reflects.

Son Buluşma approaches the Turkish War of Independence not through textbook narrative but through the daily lives of its last living witnesses. The meeting of three veterans aged between 105 and 108 at the time of filming in 2006, spread across Ankara, Konya and Eskişehir, raises a powerful question about how memory passes between generations: what remains when the witnesses are gone? The journey, which begins with a private from Çorum visiting Anıtkabir, recalls the war through the eyes of ordinary soldiers. That all three died shortly after filming turns the documentary, unintentionally, into a farewell. Though it occasionally leans too hard on sentiment, it is an important record of the value of oral history.

Family Viewer Asks whether the whole household can watch it; cares about humour and heart.

A documentary the whole family can watch. Three veterans over a hundred years old share their memories and meet one another. For children, hearing about the War of Independence from people who lived it can be very valuable. The pace is slow, though, so little ones may get restless; it suits middle school and up. The farewells are deeply moving, and adults may well end up in tears too.

Cinephile Looks at script, editing and directing choices; keeps a distance from formula films.

Nesli Çölgeçen's documentary sits almost beyond criticism by virtue of its subject: bringing three veterans over a hundred years old into the same frame is a historical record in itself. Structurally, the film uses Ömer Küyük's journey as its spine, building a road narrative from Ankara to Konya and Eskişehir; a simple but functional choice. In my view, though, the film is at times too eager to steer the emotion rather than trusting the veterans' own words. With testimony like this, silence and patience are often the most powerful tools. Even so, the farewell moments grip the viewer without needing any editing tricks. Less a cinematic achievement than an indispensable document.

These are not reader reviews: they are short editorial takes written from different viewer perspectives with AI assistance. Reader reviews are below.

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