Turkish independent cinema: Between bourgeois auteurism and political radicalism

This chapter provides an overview and analysis of key periods, directors, feature films and aesthetic styles in Turkish independent cinema. Without financial backing, little public interest and an authoritarian censorship board—curtailing individualistic and political forms of expression—Turkish independent cinema developed, against all odds, in the 1960s. Since then, independent filmmaking has evolved due to different movements that were led by urban and well-educated directors. Yet, many of these cinematic movements never made it past their fringe existence because Turkey’s mainstream film industry has always relied on commercial and entertainment aspects in film production. As a result, these movements played a rather minor role in the country’s overall cinema history; nevertheless, their influence and importance with respect to inspiring new generations of filmmakers continues to until today.