Turkish nationalism and Turkish identity in Turkish historical adventure films of the 1960s and the 1970s

Abstract

This study examines Turkish nationalism and Turkish identity through the Turkish historical adventure films produced in the1960s and the1970s, a time also known as the Golden Age of Yesilçam. Turkish historical adventure films were among the most popular genres in Yesilçam during these years that saw much political, economic, social and cultural turmoil and activity in Turkey and Yesilçam produced many films from this genre. Even though close to fifty years has passes since their production, the genre’s most well-received heroes –Karaoğlan, Tarkan, Malkoçoğlu, Kara Murat and Battal Gazi-, are still able to find themselves a place in popular culture which suggests they have a special relationship with the Turkish audience. The historical adventure films reflect on the white screen the present-day anxieties and fears of the society, as well as their nostalgia for the past, and like all genre movies they offer their audience simple solutions to their conflicts, reassuring them. These films, which use historical narratives already present in the society to create their own historical narratives, create nationalist myths where Turkish nationalism is reproduced and Turkish identity is constructed and maintained. This thesis examines how historical adventure films construct Turkish identity and reproduce nationalist discourse through the concepts of the Turkish hero, the Other, the women and the motherland.