Work

Coming to Turkey—Passing Through Turkey: Migration Routes and Spaces in the Cinema of Emigration

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: International migration is a dynamic phenomenon that shapes urban spaces in Turkey. This study focuses on 18 films that depict the experiences of migrants who see Turkey as a transit country or a temporary stop, offering insights into their journeys and perspectives. Using a qualitative analysis of cinematic narratives and spatial representations, the study highlights key locations, such as Istanbul, the Aegean coasts, and occasionally the Black Sea, where migrants often find themselves in waiting spaces, like motels, barns, or warehouses, facing uncertainty, violence, and discrimination. By examining these spatial representations and symbolic elements, the study explores how cinema reflects migration’s social and urban impacts, demonstrating its potential as a tool for understanding this complex process.

Source: Arts

DOI: 10.3390/arts14050113

Authors: Şölen Köseoğlu, Merve Kılıçbay

Institutions: Atatürk University, Amasya Üniversitesi

Language: English

Topic: Cinema History and Criticism

Subfield: Visual Arts and Performing Arts

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,689