A Cinematic Narration of Urban Segregation Through Migration in Turkey: an Analysis of the Film Block-C Directed by Zeki Demirkubuz

Abstract

Metropolitan life is always one of the major concerns of modernity as well as the set for the cinematic art. The critical gaze of cinema throws a light on how cities provide various social and architectural contexts for diversified groups as an indispensable part of the scenario. This study delves into the portrayal of metropolitan life in Zeki Demirkubuz’s 1994 film C Blok (Block-C) through the intertwined concepts of spatial alienation, urban segregation and urban migration. Situated within the context of 1990s Istanbul, the film serves as a microcosm for exploring the social and architectural landscape of Turkish modernity. It scrutinizes the interactions between diverse social classes residing in a suburban apartment complex, offering critical insights into how western-style modernization has shaped urban spaces and individual experiences. In this context, the theoretical foundation of this research encompasses the advent of western-style modernization in Turkey, its permeation into societal realms, and the concept of spatial alienation at the social stratum. Moreover, adopting a critical thinking perspective, this study probes the notions of home and house, elucidating their implications for individuality within the framework of spatial alienation. © 2025 Intellect Ltd.