Once upon a time in Turkey: the sex influx, gender inequality, and revisiting past pornographies

Abstract

<p>In Turkish cinema culture, something akin to a ‘golden era’ dates to the years 1974–1980. During this time, some of the most prominent figures in mainstream Turkish cinema, directors included, shot various sorts of sex films: almost half of the 1091 features shot during these years were designated as sex films. This article asks: how did this era end? What happened to its performers? What kinds of gendered realities appeared on-screen and off-screen? In what ways have these films reappeared in popular memory? In order to address these questions, the article introduces debates and testimonies concerning the sex influx and discusses how its materials are revisited today. In conclusion, the article points out some future research directions.<br></p>