The transformation of cinema halls in the context of public sphere and social memory: The case of Emek Cinema

Cinema is a mass communication tool that has come from the past, develops depending on technology and is accepted as the seventh art branch. Cinema contains social dynamics both with its production style and viewing practices. Movies are produced and watched collectively in cinema halls. With neoliberal policies and urban transformation projects, cinema halls are closed and become part of shopping centers. The history and identity of the cities are destroyed by the demolished buildings and the buildings built in place of these. In reconstructed urban spaces, social encounters are minimized with smaller theaters and large areas where public debates are possible are excluded. The fact that the cities have lost their uniqueness, turned into a uniform entities and lost their historical identity also affects the social memory extending from the past to the present. With the demolished spaces, the potential of forming a public sphere in cities is eliminated and the social memory is lost. In this study, the relationship between cinema and the city will be examined and the demolitions that took place under the guise of the transformation of cinema halls in Beyoğlu will be historically examined and the effect of urban transformation on public sphere and social memory will be discussed with the example of Emek Cinema. Keywords: Urban transformation, Social Memory, Public Sphere, Cinema Halls, Emek Cinema