A documentary, a commercial, a feature film, a TV series, a jazz album, or a popular song… You can find Fahir Atakoğlu’s signature wherever there is music. This documentary offers an in-depth exploration of his journey, which began in Istanbul and took him all the way to the United States in pursuit of his passion for music.

Atakoğlu’s remarkable career is reflected in the melodies that have become embedded in the collective memory, across a variety of music genres—from cinema to advertising, from documentaries to iconic songs. Born in a mansion in Moda, where every floor echoed with different melodies, Atakoğlu had the privilege of being one of the last students of Cemal Reşit Rey, a key figure in Turkish classical music.

Before the 1980 coup, Atakoğlu moved to the UK to pursue further education and the freedom to create his music. Returning to Turkey, he worked alongside prominent artists such as the MFÖ band and Sezen Aksu, collaborating with legendary musicians like Onno Tunç and Atilla Özdemiroğlu. Atakoğlu was instrumental in revolutionizing advertising music in Turkey, and played a key role in introducing orchestral compositions to a wider audience through his work in documentaries.

At the height of his success, he took a bold step to leave everything behind and start anew in the United States to share his music with a global audience. His story reflects not only the evolution of the Turkish music scene from the early ’90s onwards but also the swift technological changes that have impacted the music industry worldwide.

“Music: Fahir Atakoğlu” offers a deep dive into the key moments and places that shaped Atakoğlu’s life and career—from the streets of Istanbul to his studio in the U.S. Through Atakoğlu’s own perspective, the documentary explores his personal and artistic journey, giving viewers a unique insight into the creation of the music that has shaped his legacy.