Inspiration and Hope via Turkish Soap Operas

For the past two summers I have traveled to a social home in Bulgaria to conduct painting and socialization programs. The children are seven to 17 years old. We arrive at the end of July when the weather is hot, so in the afternoons the children sit and watch Turkish soap operas on television. Sometimes they also watch shows from India, but the Turkish shows are very popular.

I had wondered what kind values the children would be learning from these shows, thinking of the torrid story lines we have in the US on daytime television dramas, but after learning of the following, I think I need not worry as much. It seems for many women these Turkish soap operas are an inspiration. To many women in the Balkans, as well as North Africa and the Middle East, these stories offer a momentary escape from lives of inequality and harassment and perhaps hope that in the future women's lot will improve.

From Al Jazeera, Kizmet: How Turkish Soap Operas Changed the World.


FILMMAKER'S VIEW
By Nina Maria Paschalidou

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  Kismet

  Kismet explores the phenomenal success of Turkish soap operas from Turkey to the Middle East, North Africa and even Greece, capturing their poignant impact on women across the region.

  Forest Troop/ Al Jazeera
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  Kismet

  In Istanbul, Cairo and Abu Dhabi, the film discovers how prime time Turkish soaps are breaking taboos and inspiring women to change their lives.

  Forest Troop/ Al Jazeera
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  Kismet

  In Greece, where Turkish soaps have usurped local television series, the film looks at how the soaps are helping to break down negative stereotypes of Muslim men and women, but also encouraging women to connect with traditional family values they feel their society has lost.

  Forest Troop/ Al Jazeera
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  Kismet

  Kismet uncovers how these melodramas are capturing Muslim audiences by showing how Turkish women handle modernity.

  Forest Troop/ Al Jazeera
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  Kismet

  Turkish actress Meryem Uzerli, starring as Hurrem Sultan in the controversial prime time soap opera ‘Magnificent Century’, which portrays the life and times of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

  TIMS Productions/ Idiletisim/ Al Jazeera
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  Kismet

  Turkish actress Meltem Miraloglu, stars as Hyatt, a child bride in Turkey, in the TV series 'Life Goes On’.

  Boyut Film/ Al Jazeera
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  Kismet

  Badisabah watches ‘Life goes on’, a Turkish series about a child bride who refuses to accept her destiny. A child bride herself, Badisabah divorced her husband recently.

  Forest Troop/ Al Jazeera
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  Kismet

  Turkish actress Beren Saat, stars in the popular TV series 'Fatmagul', about a woman who is raped and finds the courage to take her case to court.

  Ay Yapim/ Al Jazeera
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  Kismet

  Samar Shaaban, a 52-year-old Emirati woman, decided to go to court and get a divorce after watching the Turkish soap opera ‘Fatmagul’ about a young woman who goes to court and wins her rape case.

  Forest Troop/ Al Jazeera
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  Kismet

  Samira, an activist in Cairo who participated in the revolution and suffered sexual abuse by army officials, says "we need Turkish TV series like ‘Fatmagul’ that talk openly about women’s rights." Samira sued the military for sexual abuse and managed to win her case, ending virginity tests in Egypt.

  Forest Troop/ Al Jazeera
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  Kismet

  Turkish soap operas have affected aspirations across the Middle East, especially in light of the failure of the Arab Spring to bring about real change for women.

  Forest Troop/ Al Jazeera