Mustang Essay
Assessment 2
2. How does 'Mustang' use location to explore issues of freedom and oppression?
The film 'Mustang' (Ergüven, 2015) subtly makes use of location as a way to convey the lack of freedom, oppression and general decency we see throughout it's runtime. We see this through the differences between a rural village on the outskirts of Turkey, and Istanbul, a promising safe haven. Although it is not directly stated, the locations likely also represent strict tradition vs the opportunity to self explore.
The movie was shot in and around the Black Sea coastal town of Inebolu, located in North Turkey about 600km from Istanbul. In the movie, the majority of the towns residents seemed to be extremely tradition oriented, especially focused on how they believe a woman should behave. Because of this we see the sisters, our protagonists, struggling through a life of double standards and oppression. The town is allowed to be this way because of its distance from modern society, both literally and metaphorically. The town is old, not only in its beliefs but also its style and technology. The town and its torment are personified by the creepy uncle Erol. Erol is a strict believer in tradition, he decides how women can and can't behave, he determines that they have an 'innocence' that must be preserved and that to preserve it, he must hide away the girls and constrict them so they don't get "sullied". Despite this, it is later implied that uncle Erol has himself been sullying the girls he claims to take care of, an accurate showcase of the hypocrisy often found in such controlling environments.
Istanbul stands as a direct contrast to the girls' hometown (as seen in the film, not the actual Inebolu). It is frequently referenced as a place where women are free to go about themselves and face no unjust resistance. Early on in the movie, the first scene, we see Lale weeping as her favourite teacher is moving to Istanbul. At the very end of the film we see her teacher cohabiting with her partner and free of the oppression of tradition, she then takes in Lale and her sister. Something that could never happen in a place so bent for tradition. As a woman she will have clearly faced a similar type of abuse but has found her way to a better place where she is free to be herself. Istanbul is also referenced at various other times throughout the film. Lale, knowing her teacher has gone to live there, advises Selma to try and make it there as a way out of her arranged marriage. We also see Lale herself try and walk to Istanbul because she cannot stand the way she is treated. Although we do not see much of Istanbul, we know factually that is is probably more advanced, a higher population, advanced buildings/structures and so it stand to reason they could have a more advanced way of life, and a greater hope for the future.
The difference is not only a comment on tradition vs liberty but is also a comment on the importance of advancement in society and the ability to freely explore what works and what doesn't.
Istanbul stands as a direct contrast to the girls' hometown (as seen in the film, not the actual Inebolu). It is frequently referenced as a place where women are free to go about themselves and face no unjust resistance. Early on in the movie, the first scene, we see Lale weeping as her favourite teacher is moving to Istanbul. At the very end of the film we see her teacher cohabiting with her partner and free of the oppression of tradition, she then takes in Lale and her sister. Something that could never happen in a place so bent for tradition. As a woman she will have clearly faced a similar type of abuse but has found her way to a better place where she is free to be herself. Istanbul is also referenced at various other times throughout the film. Lale, knowing her teacher has gone to live there, advises Selma to try and make it there as a way out of her arranged marriage. We also see Lale herself try and walk to Istanbul because she cannot stand the way she is treated. Although we do not see much of Istanbul, we know factually that is is probably more advanced, a higher population, advanced buildings/structures and so it stand to reason they could have a more advanced way of life, and a greater hope for the future.
The difference is not only a comment on tradition vs liberty but is also a comment on the importance of advancement in society and the ability to freely explore what works and what doesn't.
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