ENTER THE LENS
UNVEILING NEW TURKISH CINEMA (BABEL 2015)
Every year, the Babel Group of Sciences Po Paris, Menton sends about 30 students to a selected destination in the Middle-East or Mediterranean, to carry out intensive research projects. And this year it’s Istanbul!
After a grilling round of project proposals and interviews, my project proposal (which I am conducting with another Sciences Po student) was selected. Obviously, it has anything and everything to do with Cinema. But watch out for the political twist below.
PROBLEMATIQUE
Comparing the differences and similarities between the documentary film industry and the commercial film industry in secular Turkey, based on
a) the cinematic portrayal of the headscarf as a symbol and of characters with headscarves
b) impact of the headscarf issue on directors and influence of directors wearing the headscarf (including direct and indirect institutional censorship of films among other factors)
during the period of New Turkish Cinema (late 1990s to present day).
 Why Turkey?Turkey presents a truly unique case of the headscarf discussion. Caught between the modernity and traditionalism, secularism and religion, the country is the best example to prove that the headscarf debate is not just a religious one, but also a social, cultural, economic and feminist one. Picture - Sadia Rao |  Why Cinema?While "Soap Operas" are the most popular medium of entertainment, Turkish cinema made its mark in the 50s- 60s. Today, Turkish cinema impacts the Turkish domestic masses, while grabbing a prominent position in the world of international cinema. Picture - http://www.vogue.com/873638/out-of-the-shadows-once-upon-a-time-in-anatolia/ (Once Upon A Time In Anatolia) |  Why New Turkish Cinema?After the downfall of Turkish cinema in the 90s began the movement of New Turkish Cinema. This period which continues today, features films that deal primarily with the ideas of belonging and identity, words that are dominant in the discussion about the headscarf. Picture - http://www.filmifullizler.com/busra-yerli-filmi-izle (Büsra) |
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 Why the Headscarf issue?The manner in which the politics of secularism and the headscarf have unfolded in Turkey, is truly unique. For us, the headscarf issue is a good tool to examine the larger issues of secularism and the east-west confllict in Turkey, Picture - http://hijabitopia.blogspot.fr/2011/01/movie-about-hijab-ban-in-turkey.html (Islak) |  Why Feature Films?Not only do feature films generate thee largest chunk of the cinema industry’s income, but also reaches the masses and influences a large audience. Feature films form a good lens to look at the perception of the headscarf in the Turkish society as well as the strong stereotypes that exist. Picture - http://sensanostra.com/yol (Yol) |  Why Documentaries?The issue of the headscarf has been raised time and again through documentaries in Turkey. This also provides veiled directors with a platform to voice their opinions, considering the mainstream cinema industry lacks good opportunities for women. Documentaries give strong political and social opinions on the headscarf as a symbol in Turkish society. Picture -http://www.americanturkishsociety.org/pastevents.aspx?year=2010 (Voices Unveiled) |
 Why DirectorsFor a holistic approach, it is important to focus on the process of filmmaking. We want to understand the conflicts directors went through while making these films, how the process changed or strengthened their opinions. Picture - http://i.ytimg.com/vi/q1Tg2wWJ3tU/0.jpg (Veiled Turkish Director) |  Support Us!Do you know of any influential Turkish films with headscarved characters? Any books that could help our research? Any filmmakers we can contact? Please do let us know! |