The Spectacle of Politics and Religion in the Contemporary Turkish Cinema

This book explores how politics, religion and cinema encounter and re-invent each other in contemporary Turkish cinema. It investigates their common originthe spectacle, which each field views as an instrument of governmentality. The book analyses six recent, some of which are internationally known Turkish films: The Messenger (Ulak), A Man's Fear of God (Takva), Let's Sin (tirazm Var), SixtyOne Days (ftarlk Gazoz), The Imam *and The Shadowless (Gölgesizler).* Thwaites discusses how the cinematic nature of politics and religion unfold amidst the increasing media visibility of religion in contemporary Turkey. The chapters explore the relationship between art and religion, and compare religion and philosophy in their relation to truth, belief, and economy. Through close examination of these films, the author highlights the role of cinema in contemporary Turkey and at the heart of the religious paradigm.

Presents a timely discussion of religion and politics in Turkish cinema Explores complex relationships between politics, religion and the spectacle in contemporary Turkey Critically analyses new Turkish cinema from a sociological and film studies perspective

Autorentext
Ebru Çidem Thwaites Diken is Assistant Professor of Sociology at stinye University, Turkey.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: Cinema, Politics and Religion.- 2. The Messenger (Ulak).- 3. A Man's Fear of God (Takva).- 4. Let's Sin! (tirazm Var).- 5. Sixty-One Days (ftarlk Gazoz).- 6. The Imam (The mam).- 7. The Shadowless (Gölgesizler).- 8. Conclusion.