Abstract:

Cinema, as a major means of cultural transmission, is a valuable resource for viewing cultural and social definitions, meanings, and descriptions of people with disabilities. In this study, it is aimed to reveal how disabled people are represented in the films “Toss Up” directed by Uğur Yücel and “My Father” by Nihat Durak in Turkish cinema. For this purpose, the films were examined with qualitative content analysis. The Goffmanian viewpoint is used in the study. The relationship between disability and stigma has been attempted to be explained. The dramaturgy model has been used to investigate how disabled persons, whom Goffman identifies as a stigmatized group due to their peculiarities, are represented in cinema. During the research, it was discovered that disabled characters appeared in similar representations in various areas of dramaturgy. It has been observed that films reinforce negative discourse and behaviors by reflecting societal prejudices, attitudes, and behaviors, as well as continuing to stigmatize disability.

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