Poetics of Arabesk in Turkish-German Cinema - (Cinepoetics - English Edition) by Nazlı & Kilerci-Stevanovic (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

This book challenges Eurocentric interpretations of the so-called Turkish-German cinema from a transnational perspective, advocating for a comprehensive reevaluation to encourage enriched dialogues. The first part critically assesses dominant media discourses on guest-workers and migrants in the historiography of Turkish-German cinema, arguing for a shift from traditional identity-focused narratives to a broader exploration of shared emotions. The second part explores Arabesk, which, while originating as a hybrid musical genre, has evolved into a significant cultural force encompassing a range of emotional phenomena. Arabesk embodies the visceral, often painful expressions of migration and dislocation, characterized by a profound emotional intensity. It articulates a painful passion and longing for the homeland left behind, providing an invaluable method for understanding aesthetic nuances of Turkish-German films. Arabesk serves as an analytical tool for deconstructing cinematic expressions, revealing complex emotional ties, and cultivating a feeling of familiarity through the dynamic circulation and exchange of cultural media. Thus, Arabesk's poetics significantly shape transnational cinema practices and contribute to global cinema discourse.

About the Author

Nazlı Kilerci-Stevanovic, SFB 1171 Affective Societies (Filmwissenschaft), Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.