Private Project

Who Shot Jr.?

This documentary takes a closer look at the passionate fans of the Turkish TV series industry. It explores how fans feel so connected to the stories that they even influence actors’ lives or the script’s flow. Their passion leads to social media campaigns targeting writers and efforts to "save" favorite characters, reflecting their strong sense of belonging. Meanwhile, industry representatives’ comments on fans and the cold realities of their professional world add another striking layer. This contrast of admiration and distance paints a portrait of the series world and its fans.

  • GÜL ABUS SEMERCİ
    Director
    I BEG YOU TO LIKE ME
  • GÜL ABUS SEMERCİ
    Writer
    I BEG YOU TO LIKE ME
  • GÜL ABUS SEMERCİ
    Producer
    I BEG YOU TO LIKE ME
  • Nurgul Yesilcay
    Key Cast
    "Self"
    Kosem -Magnificent Century
  • Oktay Kaynarca
    Key Cast
    "Self"
    Kurtlar Vadisi
  • Cigdem Vitrinel
    Executive Producer
    Please Like Me
  • Dogus Kucuk
    Editor
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    CEYAR'I KİM ÖLDÜRDÜ?
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    46 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 15, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    35,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Turkey
  • Country of Filming:
    Turkey
  • Language:
    Turkish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - GÜL ABUS SEMERCİ

A graduate of Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Theatre and Playwriting. She has directed two documentaries about the Gezi resistance: “The Children of the Generation Who Wore Parkas Heading to the Park” and “I Beg You To Like Me”.

She has authored three books: “My Dear Husband”, “Mr. Hamdi/A Knight in a Black Cloak”, and “Urinal Anxiety”. In 2024, her first poetry book titled “We Seem Fine on the Outside, but Our Inner Troubles Are Huge” was published.

She is the screenwriter of the movie “Bathroom”, directed by Mustafa Altıoklar.

On television, she has worked as a screenwriter for over 20 TV series, including O Hayat Benim, Kalbim Ege'de Kaldı, Kırgın Çiçekler, Aşk ve Mavi, Kardeşlerim, Kaderimin Oyunu, and Safir.

Her documentary “We Made a Lot of Deaths This Spring” is currently in the editing stage.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As a screenwriter contributing to the world of television, I often witness how the stories I write touch people's lives through fan messages, social media campaigns, and casual conversations. The reason for making this documentary is my desire to explore the emotional depth behind this connection.
I've always been fascinated by the motivation of TV show fans to embrace a story, engage with characters, and even take action to "save" their favorite ones. The stories we bring to the screen eventually stop being just our stories and transform into those of the audience. Their passion deepens what we write and sometimes surprises us, steering us in unexpected directions. This documentary aims to make that mutual interaction visible.
While making this documentary, I drew from my own experiences as a screenwriter and from the perspectives of fans towards TV shows. I know that every sentence written to bring characters to life can resonate emotionally in unexpected ways in the lives of viewers. The story of a death row inmate whose final wish was to find out "Who shot J.R.?" in Dallas is one of the most striking examples of how stories can carry profound, life-altering significance. This incident reaffirmed for me that stories are not just entertainment; they represent hope, comfort, and sometimes an escape from reality.
The behind-the-scenes realities of the industry also reveal the contradictions between fans' passions and the strategic decisions made by creative teams. I aimed to present this reciprocal relationship, and sometimes conflict, in a balanced way from the perspectives of both fans and industry representatives. I saw how the line between admiration and distance, fantasy and reality, can blur over time.
"Who Shot J.R.?" is not just a documentary showcasing the passions of TV fans; it also explores the power of storytelling and how a story, once written, can find meaning in thousands of different lives. I hope viewers will have the chance to reflect on their own connections with the world of television as they watch this documentary.