Abstract:

After the World Trade Centre towers were destroyed by a terrorist attack undertaken by Al-Qaeda on September 11, 2001, America began searching for Osama Bin Laden as the culprit of the attack. This is the process covers a period of approximately 10 years. Zero Dark Thirty (2012) is an interesting film in that it tells how the American intelligence manages this process. The film, which causes interesting debates in Turkey and the world, creates a current version of American hegemony within Hollywood production patterns. This article analyzes the discussion initiated by the film by using the critical discourse analysis method and the analysis kit consisting of power, power, justice, history and other concepts. Considering both the discourse of the film and the debates in the press, as well as the historical and sociological contexts, the only difference of the examined film from its predecessors is that it was shot with a more qualified scenario and more effective technological equipment. According to Americans, the cause of terrorism is jihadist Islamic views. The message that Islam is dignified and holy to the extent that it serves American values and expansionist policies is delicately presented. In essence, the ideological devices of the American state, such as American capitalism, anti-humanist positivism, and individual pragmatism, continue to exist as prominent elements in the visual composition.