Application of neoformalism for analysis of Nuri Bilge Ceylan's films

"Neoformalism" is a methodological approach developed by David Jay Bordwell and Kristin Thompson that focuses on the relationship between form and narrative in films. The term "form" refers to the system of relationships among various parts of a film, while "narrative" describes how story information is distributed through cause-and-effect within time and space. The neoformalist approach examines the principles and processes involved in creating a "narratively complete" artwork. This thesis analyzes Nuri Bilge Ceylan's films through a neoformalist lens, aiming to reveal how formal elements in his films highlight his distinctive style and direct the narrative. In this context, Nuri Bilge Ceylan's films, including The Small Town (1997), Clouds of May (1999), Distant (2002), Climates (2006), Three Monkeys (2008), Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011), Winter Sleep (2014), and The Wild Pear Tree (2018) are analyzed according to Bordwell and Thompson's principles for dissecting "style" in films in terms of the form-narrative relationship. It has been concluded that Ceylan, in his early films, focused on simpler and more natural stories, while in his later works, he has tackled more detailed analyses of characters and complex human relationships. He has directed the audience towards deep contemplation of the narratives through the use of long takes and limited narration in his films.