Semiotic analysis of gastronomic elements in Yeşilçam and new Turkish cinema

The use of gastronomic elements creates a metaphorical meaning and provides a deeper understanding of characters and events in cinema. Since these gastronomic items also contain many symbolic meanings, their sociological examination is considered important in understanding the various norms of society. The aim of the study is to examine the gastronomic elements in Yeşilçam and New Turkish Cinema films with semiotic analysis and to compare the sociological reflections of the gastronomic elements in these films and to touch upon their differences. In this respect, the universe of the study consists of films directed by Ertem Eğilmez (a renown Turkish film director) from the Yeşilçam Cinema Period and films directed by Çağan Irmak (another renown Turkish film director) from the New Turkish Cinema Period. Among the films directed by Ertem Eğilmez Süt Kardeşler (1976), Şaban Oğlu Şaban (1977), Canım Kardeşim (1973), Gülen Gözler (1977), Köyden İndim Şehire (1974); and among the films directed by Çağan Irmak Babam ve Oğlum (2005), Dedemin İnsanları (2011), Unutursam Fısılda (2014), Mustafa Hakkında Herşey (2004), Bizi Hatırla (2018) constitute the sample of the study. It has been deemed appropriate to use semiotic analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, to collect the necessary information for the purpose of the study. Roland Barthes' model, which reveals cultural differences, has been used in semiotic analysis. As a result of the study, it has been determined that there are similarities and differences between the sociological reflections of gastronomic elements in the films of the two periods. In addition, this study is original in that it has distinctive features in terms of its subject and method from studies conducted in the field of gastronomy. It is anticipated that the study will contribute to different fields such as gastronomy, semiotics, cinema and sociology.