Yar bana bir eğlence. Notes on Parrhesia

Yar bana bir eğlence. Notes on Parrhesia

Production country: 
be
nl
Year: 
2015
Duration: 
37'
Edition: 
2016
Format: 
film/video

In her first cinematographic work, artist Eleni Kamma revisits the Ottoman tradition of the Karagöz theatre and its role in the creation of a political voice that defied censorship for a long time. Karagöz symbolizes the "little man" who, through the use of empty phrases, the illogical, the surrealistic, extreme obscenity and repetition, speaks of what people want to hear and need to say. Against this background, Yar bana bir eğlence. Notes on Parrhesia reflects upon the term "parrhesia", which implies not only the freedom of speech, but also the obligation to speak the truth for the sake of the common good, even at personal risk. This is where Kamma links to the Gezi Park protests in 2013, in which humour and creativity were key elements of resistence. Archival footage and staged scenes alternate with Cypriot, Greek and Turkish Karagöz masters discussing language, history and the political message of their art today.

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