Cinematic representations of rural space as cultural discourse: a semiotic approach to the ‘Yusuf Trilogy’

Zeğerek Altunbey P., Çalış Zeğerek E.

Visual Studies, cilt.41, sa.2, ss.426-446, 2026 (AHCI, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 41 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/1472586x.2025.2570292
  • Dergi Adı: Visual Studies
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, American History and Life, Art Abstracts, Art Index, Design & Applied Arts Index, Sociological abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.426-446
  • Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Rural landscapes are dynamic environments shaped by the interaction of natural and cultural elements, playing a vital role in the construction of social memory, identity, and cultural heritage. This study explores the cinematic representation of rural landscapes and investigates how these depictions contribute to cultural sustainability and heritage preservation. In this context, Semih Kaplanoğlu’s Yusuf Trilogy (Egg, Milk, Honey) is analysed through a semiotic framework. Utilising Roland Barthes’ model of sign analysis, the study examines the natural, built, and cultural landscape elements depicted in the films. It further reveals how these signs influence the narrative structure, the construction of spatial identity, and the psychological depth of the characters. The findings indicate that the rural landscape functions not merely as a narrative backdrop but as a significant medium for conveying belonging, identity, and collective memory. Additionally, the analysis underscores cinema’s potential to foster critical awareness concerning environmental, cultural, and economic sustainability. This study offers an original perspective on the cinema-landscape nexus by framing it within the discourse of cultural sustainability, suggesting that film, particularly within art cinema, may symbolically engage with discourses on rural preservation and stimulate reflection among certain audience groups.