Film: Istanbul Encyclopedia

This group is for relaxed discussion of recent foreign films - of all types, from any country. We keep the number of meeting participants small so everyone has an equal opportunity to speak, and no one may dominate the conversation. In addition, our aim is not to be technical film critics. The goal is to search out films that give us an alternative cultural, social, political viewpoint - a viewpoint that comes from the rest of the world outside the US. And our main interest is in character development, relationships, and story.
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Please Note: This meeting we’ll try discussing something that requires more prior watching time because we think explication of the multi-layered themes warrants it. We’ll schedule it a bit farther out to allow for that.

“Istanbul Encyclopedia premiered on Netflix in 2025. Directed by Selman Nacar, the show is being praised for its nuanced portrayal of contemporary life in Türkiye and megacity Istanbul, capturing the tensions between secular and conservative segments of society, social hypocrisy, class divides, and identity struggles. This heartfelt show consists of eight episodes and is noted for its emotional depth, and as a love letter to Istanbul, not just portraying the city but also its memories and personal histories.” - Türkiye Today

“A young student moves in with her mother's estranged best friend in Istanbul, trading her humble hometown for a city that tests her identity and convictions.”

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/istanbul_encyclopedia

The film can be streamed on Netflix.