On land, memory, and masculinity: unearthing silences around myths of Gallipoli in Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s <i>Ahlat Ağacı</i> (The Wild Pear Tree)

Abstract This article offers a critical reading of Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Ahlat Ağacı (The Wild Pear Tree) through an exploration and critique the mythmaking monumentalization surrounding Gallipoli Battle multiple ways in which film unsettles foundational myths last century Turkey. scenes characters are constructed such way that male particularly Sinan (the main character) refuse to succumb hegemonic codes masculinity. Through this cinematic refusal by anti-hero (Sinan), addresses crisis masculinities their interconnectedness militarism, nationalism, capitalism, heteronormativity. Sinan’s quest for self-realization, signals not only impotence vanity nationalist but also caesuras instabilities national myths. As new Land Ghosts trilogy, started with Once Upon Time Anatolia Winter Sleep , seems close cycle final scene bespeaks possibility unearthing lost others mythmaking, bringing fertility hope lands collective amnesia reigns supreme.