Transnational Life: Where’d I Be Happy? A Research on the Films of Immigrant Directors From Turkey Living in Austria

• Main Author: Hasan Gürkan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Pittsburgh 2018-06-01
• Series: CINEJ Cinema Journal
• Subjects: Turkish-Austrian Migrant Cinema, Multiculturalism, Trans-culturalism, Umut Dağ, Hüseyin Tabak
• Online Access: http://cinej.pitt.edu/ojs/index.php/cinej/article/view/159

This study aims to analyse the representation of different cultural notions in Turkish-Austrian Migrant Cinema. This study is based on migrant problem, hybrid identities and national values, taking Austria as a sample. Turkish-Austrian migrant films include multiculturalism, Turkish national values and Turkish national cinema narrative by keeping optimism and hope. The sampling of this study consists of films by Umut Dağ and Hüseyin Tabak. The films by both of these directors focus on traditional values of Turkish culture, the reflection of these values on Austria and cover the features of immigration from Turkey to Austria. The films portray Turkish immigrants going back and forth between Turkish and Austrian cultures in their daily lives. The films of these directors show the experiences in during and post-migration processes and emphasize the phenomenon of not belonging either culture.