Movie analysis - Tradition versus Modernity

Modernity vs Tradition

In the movie we find a strong conflict between modernity and tradition. The movie starts with the presentation of the rural Turkish community (values) and is juxtaposed by the urban Turkish lifestyle and views (modern times). These aspects are stressed using a defined visual such as bold colours vs black and white somber colours to represent traditional from modern scenes. We observe a change in colour in the scene where Irfan leaves the bold yellow cab, the trees appear to be a powerful green, the sky is clear blue, the fence and mansion are immersed in vibrant white paint, even the red detailing on the signs is a powerful crimson. The lighting also plays a strong role in this scene as we see the blinding sunlight and warmer rays as opposed to the first scene where the light is dim with the use of cool tones. This scene was the first look onto modern Turkey, we see Irfan dressed in a non traditional outfit (not black suit and white shirt like Cemal’s father and accomplices) step out of an up-to-date taxi. This scene is also caracterized by the use of different angles, we see the appearance of a landscape scene that moves with the speed of the characters. We learn that traditional rules go above and beyond governmental laws, a cry from the rural region is heard as it supposes its own importance in opposition to modernity. Every time Cemal sheds light on the honour killing the screen becomes overwhelmed with darkness and shades and takes on a black and white feature while using classic chest angles and profiles.

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