Turkish television censors scene about labour strike in cult movie

"Bosses are traitors" expression is blurred in the movie
Thursday, 03 August 2017 00:50

According to the column of Sina Koloğlu in Milliyet newspaper, Star television censored some banner slogans in the scenes about the strike of workers in a 40-year-old popular Turkish movie.

Columnist Sina Koloğlu wrote that in one of the street writing in the movie Kibar Feyzo, which says “Workers are brothers, bosses are traitors”, "bosses are traitors" part was blurred by Star television.

In the movie, which is a 1978 Turkish black comedy film directed by Atıf Yılmaz, the leading character acted by the popular comedian Kemal Sunal talks about İstanbul and says: "İstanbul is a strange city. I have learned many things. Strikes, bread, freedom.” Then he looks at a street writing, saying “Workers are brothers, bosses...”.

The "boss" expression might have been blurred since the supporters of Turkish President Erdoğan usually call him "boss" or "leader".

 

This censorship brought to mind the latest statements of the President Erdoğan on the labour strikes. Erdoğan declared last month that the state of emergency in Turkey protects the capitalists. "We do declare the state of emergency to allow the businesses work smoothly. Thanks to the state of emergency, we do not let any strikes to be organized", Erdoğan said.

As is seen in the screenshots, the brand "Ülker" too is blurred from the banner reading "Ülker workers". It was not immediately clear if brand name blurred because of legal regulations prohibited "secret advertising".Ülker Biskuvi, controlled by Yıldız Holding, is known for its close ties with U.S-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, one of the masterminds of last years' coup attempt.