Fantastic Narration in Turkish Cinema

Abstract

The aim of this study is to discuss the progression of fantastic narration in Turkish cinema in a historical context, in comparison with the progression of fantastic narration in Hollywood, putting forth the internal negotiation between foreign and original narrative elements. This study is a qualitative research, using descriptive method, trying to determine the main themes, the types of characters, the most important directors, producers and movies in Fantastic Turkish cinema. Fantastic Turkish cinema has two main periods, The Masked Heroes and Transition Between Space Age and Galaxy Age. The main themes used in Fantastic Turkish cinema are Byzantium-Religion and Nationalism, Fairy Tale, Science-Fiction, Horror and the Masked Hero. Turkish fantastic movies mostly include fantastic narration elements such as devils, zombies, aliens, ghosts, mutant creatures, werewolves, vampires, and demons. Turkish cinema has incorporated a lot of fantastic films throughout its history. The adaptations of Hollywood films are among the most common examples in Yeşilçam with the influence of Europe and America. When fantastic films directed 70 years ago are compared with today's films in terms of form, subject, technique and visual effects; it can be observed that today's fantastic Turkish cinema is in a much better condition. But Turkish cinema still does not have a fully established fantastic genre. And despite the fact that the deeply rooted history and mythologies of Turkish, Anatolian and Islamic civilizations offer very good alternatives for fantastic fiction, they do not attract the necessary attention in the Turkish cinema.