About Istanbul: The Two Faces of Turkey
Istanbul: The Two Faces of Turkey | Investigate Asia Is Istanbul still Turkey’s most European city? The only city in the world to straddle two continents, sometimes conservative, sometimes ultra-modern, the city of a thousand faces has thousands of stories to tell. In his 20 years in power, President Erdogan has changed the culture of the country. He has financed dozens of historical TV series, which glorify the Ottoman Empire and are a hit on public television. In the country’s cultural capital, bars and nightclubs are gradually being replaced by oriental pastry stores, shopping malls dedicated to Islamic fashions have emerged and provocative artists are closely monitored. The authorities are focusing on tourism from the Middle East rather than European visitors. But many people refuse to be silenced. Singer Aisu, who is so provocative she has trouble finding radio stations willing to play her songs, now reaches her audience via social media. Meanwhile satirical cartoonist, Tunay, who has seen his friends imprisoned, continues to depict Erdogan as an old sultan. This documentary first aired in July 2024. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Istanbul: The Two Faces of Turkey is presented by Investigate Asia. Its listed runtime is 61 minutes. The source link and publisher attribution are provided with the embedded film.
As a society documentary, Istanbul: The Two Faces of Turkey uses istanbul, faces, turkey as its central frame. Social documentaries work best as invitations to examine systems through lived experience. Distinguish individual testimony from wider claims, and consider which institutions, incentives and inequalities shape the choices shown.
What to consider before watching
- What evidence, testimony or observation does the film use to explain istanbul, faces, turkey?
- Which people, institutions or historical conditions most influence the story told in Istanbul: The Two Faces of Turkey?
- How does Investigate Asia's framing affect the documentary's emphasis, and which perspectives may deserve further research?
Topics covered in this documentary
Documentary details and original source
- Title
- Istanbul: The Two Faces of Turkey
- Category
- Society
- Runtime
- 61 minutes
- Language
- English
- Publisher
- Investigate Asia
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