THE IMAGE OF THE TURK IN GREEK FICTION CINEMA: AN OVERVIEW
The Image of the Turk in Greek Fiction Cinema: An Overview

Summary/Abstract: Negative stereotypes often inspired the representation of the Turks in Greek fiction film. Still, throughout the history of Greek cinema, the image of the Turk did not remain unchanged. This article traces the most significant changes in this image, from the late 1920s, when the first nationalistic films set in the Ottoman period appeared, to the early 21th century, when a few films which enjoyed spectacular commercial success (e.g. A Touch of Spice, 2004) presented the Turks as friends and lovers to the Greeks. As this overview suggests, popular depictions of a ‘national enemy’ are shaped by socio-political conditions and the changing preferences of filmgoers.

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