Yunus Emre Institute
Cinema enthusiasts and history aficionados gathered at Birkbeck University on Friday January 26th 2024 for an exploration of the early years of cinema in Istanbul. “The Coming of Cinema to Istanbul” featured an illustrated talk by distinguished Turkish film historian and visiting scholar at Birkbeck, Nezih Erdoğan, introduced by known British film scholar Ian Christie. The event was organised in collaboration with Birkbeck University by Yunus Emre Institute London.
Nezih Erdoğan, who teaches Film Theory, Film History, and Storytelling at Istinye University, Istanbul, presented a riveting discussion on spectatorship and modernity during the formative years of cinema in Istanbul. Starting from the first elements of cinema arriving in Istanbul in the 1890s when the lack of electricity meant film used gas lights for illumination to the speedy spread of cinemas across Istanbul in the early 1900s, the evening was a fascinating tour of the city’s early history with film. Attendees were treated to a selection of early films showcasing the historical and cultural richness of Constantinople/Istanbul.
Erdoğan has extensively published on topics such as colonial discourse, national identity, and the reception of Hollywood in Turkey. He co-edited “Shifting Landscapes: Film and Media in European Context” and authored “Sinemanın Istanbul’da İlk Yılları/Early Years of Cinema in Istanbul: Adventures in Modernity and Spectatorship” in 2017. His current research in London focuses on cinema in occupied Istanbul from 1918 to 1923.
Adding a delightful dimension to the event, pianist, composer, and sound designer Ciğdem Borucu provided live musical accompaniment during a screening of early films, as would have been common during the era. The selected films, including “The Minister of War Visiting a Troop,” “The Austrian Emperor in Istanbul,” “Sultan Vahdettin’s Pledge of Allegiance,” “The Fairground,” “The Textile Factory in Ahırkapı,” “Istanbul Scenery,” and “General Townshend,” came to life with Borucu’s evocative musical compositions.
Borucu, a versatile artist with a background in piano and composition, has received awards and recognition for her work in composition, sound design, and electro-acoustic music. Her collaboration with visual artists, theatre, and documentary projects has been showcased at festivals and exhibitions worldwide
“The Coming of Cinema to Istanbul”, blending historical insights with live musical accompaniment, was an immersive journey into the cultural tapestry of early Turkish cinema right in the heart of London.