Analysis of the film “Düğün Dernek” with Yuri Lotman’s cultural semiotics theory

Abstract

Semiotics is a discipline that revolves around signs, examining the relationships between signs, their meanings, functions, and the coherent structure they form in the fundamental research area. Cinema, as a unique expressive tool within its own structure using a language, holds significant importance in the field of semiotics. Therefore, cinema is acknowledged as one of the most influential narrative mediums in contemporary times. The cinematic language combines visual and auditory elements to provide the audience with a distinctive experience. When analyzed from a semiotic perspective, the film “Düğün Dernek” allows for a detailed examination of the signs, symbols, and ways in which meaning is constructed in the scenes. In this context, semiotics serves as a valuable application to understand the narrative language of cinema and the emotions it evokes in the audience. This study focuses on the 2013 Turkish comedy film “Düğün Dernek” as the subject of analysis. The objective of this study is to understand how the signs used in the film refer to the cultural values, norms, rituals, and systems of meaning of society when examined from a cultural semiotics perspective. The research analyzes linguistic and non-linguistic signs such as language, clothing, settings, gestures, and facial expressions to create a meaningful whole within the research subject. From a cultural semiotics perspective, the film carries symbolic meaning by reflecting various aspects of Turkish culture. Wedding rituals, family relationships, and societal norms form the semiotic structure of culture, as emphasized by Lotman, deepening the meaning of events and characters in the film. Intercultural communication highlights conflicts and disagreements among characters in the film. Ambiguity and irony emerge through humorous events and sarcastic narratives, pointing to Lotman's notion of the multiple meanings and ironic use of signs. The relationship between text and context enables the evaluation of events in the film within the social and cultural context of a specific period in Turkish society. The analysis of signs in the film aims to enhance the audience's understanding of the cultural meaning underlying the events, character behaviors, dialogues, and settings. This understanding is crucial to comprehend how the codes and symbols of the culture represented in the film interact with the audience.