Socio-political criticism in 1970s Turkish independent short stop-motion cinema: The film Bir Gün and its application

This thesis investigates the political critique potential of independent short stop-motion cinema in 1970s Turkey, contextualized within the social and cultural transformations of the era. It explores how these transformations are reflected in animation cinema through selected film examples. Internationally, United Productions of America (UPA), established in 1941 by artists who departed from Walt Disney Studios, pioneered an innovative animation style that foregrounded personal expression in opposition to naturalistic conventions. This approach, which found resonance across various countries, corresponded with the burgeoning independent cinema movements in 1970s Turkey. Emerging as an alternative to the dominant Yeşilçam industry, these productions were nurtured through screenings and publications supported by the Robert College Cinema Club, the Turkish Cinematheque Association, and foreign cultural centers. Meray Ülgen's Bir Gün, awarded in the fourth edition (1970) of the Hisar Short Film Festival, an important platform for animation in Turkey, gained recognition for articulating a socialist worldview through animation. This study offers a socio-political analysis of Bir Gün, providing insights relevant both to its historical context and contemporary perspectives, and incorporates an artistic practice investigating the film's potential for contemporary re-production.