Return of the King

Sadettin K.

After the success of CITIZEN K and Somedaymyprincewill.com, accomplished storyteller Sadettin Kırmızıyüz and director Casper Vandeputte are joining forces once more. Their newest project, Return of the King, explores the re-emigration of Sadettin's retired father. After fifty years of working and living in the Netherlands, he boarded a plane to Turkey a few months ago, intending to spend the rest of his life there as a king. In Return of the King, Sadettin explores what it has been like for his father to be a guest in the Netherlands for fifty years, the changes that have occurred during those years, and how those years have influenced Sadettin and his own children. With a blend of humor, authenticity, and perspective, Sadettin takes you on a journey, following in his father's footsteps.

Run time 65 minutes
Genre Theatre
Language Dutch

Return of the King

In the 1970s, Sadettin's father dreamed of earning enough money in the Netherlands to live a good life in Turkey. But like many of his generation, it took him much longer than planned. Half a century longer, to be exact.

The generation of Sadettin's father has gradually disappeared from Dutch society. They return to the Motherland, making it seem as if they were never really here. They represent a twilight generation, signaling the conclusion of an era.
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What has their presence meant for our country? How have they changed the Netherlands and how have they been changed by the country? What does their departure mean for the Netherlands? How will Sadettin's father adjust in Turkey, the country he left to establish a future in the Netherlands? And how are Sadettin and his peers doing, who now have children of their own, and who envision a future here in the Netherlands?

Sadettin about Return of the King

“My father had been looking forward to his retirement for a long time. Another thing he was looking forward to was his move to Turkey, something he had only been dreaming of for the last few years. The first time he told me about it, I couldn't believe my ears. In the past, this was not on my father's mind; his future, and consequently that of our entire family, was in Holland. So why did he change his mind about that? And why is his departure bothering me so much?”

About Sadettin

Sadettin Kırmızıyüz (Zutphen, 1982) is an actor and theater maker. Since 2010, he has been creating productions, with a strong autobiographical and documentary character, as the artistic director of SADETTIN K. His works explore themes of identity, politics, and history, intertwining personal and universal elements. Notable productions include Somedaymyprincewill.com, De Radicalisering van Sadettin K, Citizen K and Monumentaal. In addition to his theater work, Sadettin has appeared in television series such as Dag en Nacht, Koningshuis de Musical and Als de Dijken Breken. The documentary Thuis bij de Familie K, produced by Uur van de Wolf, provides an intimate look into his life and family.

Watch the documentary via this link.

Credits

concept, text and performance Sadettin Kırmızıyüz
text and direction Casper Vandeputte
dramaturgy Liet Lenshoek
set Sacha Zwiers
set intern Amy Pratt
costume Lotte Goos
light Gé Wegman
technical engineer Henk Geurds
sound design Timo Merkies
producer Nikita Oldert
business manager Albert van Andel
marketing Dieke van der Spek, Leonie Poot
education Anne Kuit
impressario Alles voor de Kunsten
campaign image Aisha Zeijpveld
scene photos Bart Grietens