The popular Turkish soap opera, “Aşk-ı Memnu” (Forbidden Love), adapted from a novel by renowned author Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil, appears to have come under the scrutiny of The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) for its scenes of graphic extra-marital sex.
Family and Women’s Affairs Minister Selma Aliye Kavaf stated that her objections centered around the show's erotic scenes, which she believes encourages young people to engage in sex at an early age and poses a threat to Turkish family values. RTUK has issued fines and punishments for the series due to its “fervent kissing” scenes and because it presents an extramarital affair as normal, damaging the public values. For the interesting debate on this issue click at the
Today's Zaman article here: http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-202138-101-do-tv-series-pose-a-threat-to-family-values.html
I remember this whole argument when Dallas first appeared so so many years ago.
Now the reruns look as tame as Popeye cartoons. And after all, what would soap operas be without a bit of "fervent" kissing? No smoking, no drinking and now no kissing. ( Maybe a peck on the cheek to Ayse Tezye will slip under the censors' radar.)
The Zaman article says sexual activity in Turkey might begin at 13. They fail to mention that this probably is mostly young girls forced into early marriages even younger than that, but a good man waits till the onset of menstruation to have relations with his wife, like Muhammed did with Ayşe...
ReplyDeleteYesterday I watched the film "Irreversible" on Digiturk and sat through one of the most graphic rape scenes I believe I have ever seen. I couldn't help wondering how many potential rapists were, at that moment, being thrilled by it. Now, I am not at all a fan of censorship but if ever there was a example I would vote for that film. (I got the point of the film but seriously 15 minutes of watching a woman being raped is rather excessive isn't it?) And the government is worried about kissing?!
ReplyDeleteAnd yet in the following party scene, all the cigarettes in people's mouths were blurred because of the media laws about the health dangers of smoking.
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ReplyDeleteaski memnu has the most beautiful passionate make out scenes ive ever seen in a show. it's crazy that the government is worried kissing scenes in a tv show will transcend teenagers to practice unsafe sex? and almost everyone in america or england has sex before marriage, not saying it's religious or moral but it's true.
ReplyDeleteI guess rape scenes are okay, smoking and passion on Tv shows are both verboten.
ReplyDelete