transforming conversations: Cinema and Belonging: Turkish Gastarbeiters in Movies
ece cihan ertem
Cinema and migration intersect in profound ways, offering a rich medium for storytelling that delves into the experiences of those who leave their homelands in search of better life trajectories. Films about migration often explore themes of identity, displacement, and the quest for belonging, providing a lens through which audiences can understand the complexities of the immigrant experience. These narratives can highlight the challenges migrants face, such as discrimination, language barriers, and xenophobia, while also celebrating their resilience, hope, and the vibrant diversity they bring to their new communities. By portraying the personal and collective journeys of migrants, cinema not only raises awareness but also fosters empathy and understanding toward “the migrant”. This talk titled “Cinema and Belonging: Turkish Gastarbeiters in Movies” particularly addresses several examples of the art of cinema and the Turkish migrant community as Gastarbeiters. The talk will first focus on the relationship between cinema as a genre and the theme of belonging and then it will scrutinize the theme of Gastarbeiter via several exemplary movies.
