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Application 5: Option 2
Bliss is a film that highlights the clash of different cultures and genders following a rape in one of the neighborhoods in Turkey. The promotion of patriarchal ideologies in this region is evident from the first scene of the movie. In the eastern region of Anatolia, Meryem’s stepmother gives her a rope to hang herself despite being a rape victim. Similarly, a young female from the Iranian community faces public execution following allegations of her involvement in adultery. In both cases, the women are victims of the harsh cultures that promote gender-discriminative principles and ideologies. The perpetrators of these ruthless punishments do not consider their innocence but rather perceive them as immoral human beings who have no place in the society. This indicates the conflict of sexes owing to certain contradictory principles and values in a cultural setting.
By use of various elements of cinematography and film techniques, the director of this movie succeeds in contrasting aspects within the ancient and modern cultures. For example, the traditional culture requires Meryem to commit suicide for disgracing her family following the rape ordeal. Her uncle approves this traditional move owing to his position in the administrative structure of this village, as well as the primitive ideologies, which consider the female as the instigator of such hideous acts in the community. He instructs her cousin to kill her on their journey to the city after alleging that Meryem has found a husband through the arranged traditional marriage practices. Upon reaching the metropolitan area, this young soldier is in a dilemma of the most appropriate action to take regarding this sensitive issue. On one hand, failure to kill his cousin will equate to betraying his father and the entire customary beliefs. In contrast, he agrees with his brother’s assertions regarding the inhumane nature of these traditions. Accordingly, he saves the life of Meryem although they have to hide from any member of their village including their close family members.
To emphasize on this culture clash, the director of this movie describes the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the metropolitan area in comparison with that of village dwellers. At the harbor within this metropolitan zone, young females walk around in bikinis. This is an illustration of the effects of modernization with reference to the original cultural practices and principles governing the community. Similarly, Irfan is a yacht owner who has abandoned some of the conventional beliefs and practices. For instance, he believes that members of both genders are capable of completing all chores. This is evident when he instructs Cemal to serve dinner despite his assertion that females are responsible for executing such tasks. The abandonment of his traditional principles may be because of his high levels of formal education. He is a Turkish professor who completed his studies in the United States.
Various scenes in this film describe the existing clashes in cultures and gender. The comparison between the modern and traditional cultural values and practices highlight the irrationality in some of the conventional principles governing the society. The setting of this movie is appropriate in contrasting the effects of a male-dominated society. Moreover, the oppression of females in this movie shows the negative effects of upholding irrational cultural values in the modern society and the challenges faced by people who attempt to disagree with these principles.