Prof. Dr. Arıboğan: “Traditional patterns are breaking down, new fault lines are emerging”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Political Psychology Center: As part of the Film Readings event, it addressed the much-talked-about series “Bir Başkadır” of the recent period. The analysis program took place via Zoom Webinar. The series was examined within the framework of topics such as psychological, sociological, and production aspects. Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan stated that traditional patterns are now breaking down in many areas, saying, “Currently, we are facing something else. In a psychological context, there are anxieties and concerns that put pressure on us. In Turkey, cultures have blended, and fault lines have begun to be redrawn. This series came to hold a mirror to the beginning of this situation. It arrived at a point where the traditional patterns we are accustomed to are breaking down, and new fault lines are beginning to emerge.”
The guests of the program, moderated by Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan, Dean of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, were Dr. Lecturer Meltem Narter, Head of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Psychology Department, Dr. Lecturer Tuğba Aydın Öztürk from the Sociology Department, and Journalist-Television Producer Elif Dağdeviren.
Arıboğan: “Traditional patterns are breaking down, new fault lines are emerging!”
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan, drawing attention to the significant impact of series on people's lives, views, and behaviors, and how some series create a great resonance in society, stated: “The series 'Bir Başkadır' interestingly reached a very large audience, and also became something widely discussed, written about, and deeply pondered. Some series, when they truly enter our lives, can shake our lives. Perhaps this series reflects the spirit of the times. As far as I remember, when 'Kurtlar Vadisi' first started, it was even discussed as a lesson. It truly guided a certain generation and shaped their perception of the state. It allowed them to comment on political views, the mafia, or how illegal state structures were formed. Later, Ottoman series began and are still present in our lives... Suddenly, they transported our own lives and worlds to the Ottoman era. We all came to live in ancient times together. As in this example, it is also possible to be immersed in history through series. Nowadays, we are facing something else. In a psychological context, there are anxieties and concerns that put pressure on us... In Turkey, cultures have blended, and fault lines have begun to be redrawn. This series also came to hold a mirror to the beginning of this situation. It arrived at a point where the traditional patterns we are accustomed to are breaking down, and new fault lines are beginning to emerge.”
Elif Dağdeviren: “Cinema and television have a transformative and altering effect!”
Journalist-TV Producer Elif Dağdeviren stated that cinema and television have a transformative and altering effect on societies. Dağdeviren said; “The main goal of cinema is to show people both to each other and to themselves. The most important reason why many of what we call successful films are so effective with audiences is either that they create empathy or that they try to clear their own helplessness or strengths through anti-heroes. What we call successful films are those that achieve these. We know very well the transformative and altering effect of cinema and television on societies. For example, I think Hulusi Kentmen's rich girl-poor boy type of love movies, which we watched with great affection, caused serious harm. We can develop ourselves, and this development certainly includes studying at university, having a career, and of course, earning money. There's nothing wrong with that. We can earn money, and problems related to how you spend this money may arise. These kinds of stories are dangerous because we need motivation to move ourselves forward. And within this motivation, the understanding that the rich are always bad, and those who dedicate themselves to reading actually become very bad and understand no one, is very wrong.”
Narter: “One of the biggest reasons why series are related to psychology is curiosity”
Dr. Lecturer Narter stated that the reason psychology is addressed in series stems from people seeking solace in psychology, and that the public wants to see this in series: “Psychology is an area that has been highly preferred recently, both in terms of education and master's degree programs. The reason for this is related to people seeking solace in psychology. Psychology is, in fact, a field of seeking solace. It strives to bring goodness to people and restore their mental health. Generally, this is what the public wants. One of the biggest reasons why most series broadcast on national channels are related to psychology is curiosity. The series 'Bir Başkadır' came at a very opportune time. I find it extremely valuable in terms of showing how challenging this profession is, and how human mental health can lead to serious illnesses over a long period and through very significant stages. However, it undoubtedly has aspects that can be criticized.”
The Moment She Took Off Her Shoes and Put on Slippers, I Said, ‘This Is It’
Dr. Lecturer Tuğba Aydın Öztürk stated that the series 'Bir Başkadır' reflects reality, carries many traces from real life, and this was entirely the reason she watched it: “It is definitely a series that needs to be discussed. The fact that we unconsciously call it a film shows that it is a series of film quality. In a period when a certain audience was increasingly distancing itself from television series, perhaps it came like a cure. The neighborhood and spatial differences, the person we saw wearing a vest, the children's situation, picking them up from school, and similar scenes were very impressive. Actually, the first scene where I said I would watch this series was when the character Meryem, starting from what we might call a more rural part of Istanbul, tapped her public transport card, got on the bus, crossed an overpass, and upon arriving at a completely different residence life, took off her shoes and put on her slippers. At that moment, I said, 'This is it!' The series reflects reality very much.”
To watch the program: