Irregular Migration in Turkish Cinema: An Evaluation in the Context of Historicity

Abstract

The Marshall Plan was put into effect to reconstruct Europe after WW2. Redeveloping European countries, met their labour needs with the migrants. However, after the 1973 Oil Crisis, they stopped the recruitment of migrants and started to closed-door policy. Furthermore, at the end of the Cold War, the political upheavals and the globalization brought international migration to a global dimension and Fortress Europe is fortified. The Arab Spring and the Syrian Civil War led to another refugee crisis and further tightening of the measures. Consequently, migrants started to follow more dangerous routes. Deaths and disappearances increased worldwide. Predictably, this tragedy has attracted the attention of filmmakers. Simultaneously with the world cinema, the number of irregular migration themed films in Turkish cinema increased. Because, Turkey has always been in a central position within the transformation of the global migration. When these films are examined, this transformation is clearly observed.