Poetics of Arabesk in Turkish-German Cinema: A Transnational Intervention in the Discourse

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.

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