The First Cinema Magazine of the Republic Era, Sinema Postası/Le Courrier du Cinema (1923) and Some Observations on Cinema Life of Its Period

Abstract

Sinema Postasi/Le Courrier du Cinema, established in Istanbul on 8 December 1923 under the leadership of Hikmet Naz & imath;m, the father of the famous poet Naz & imath;m Hikmet, was the first cinema magazine of the republican era. Inspired by the French magazine Cin & eacute;magazine, this illustrated bilingual weekly, which featured content in both Ottoman Turkish and French, was the pioneer of tabloid -type cinema magazines in Turkey. The French section of the magazine was overseen by the French journalist Roger Lavallette, while Vedat Orfi Bengu emerged as a prominent contributor and later the chief editor. This article presents a comprehensive examination of Sinema Postasi within its historical context. It aims to uncover the motives behind the magazine's creation, explore the circumstances that led to its establishment, and shed light on the content it published with an eye to the insights it offers into the state of Turkish cinema during the transition from empire to republic. The first cinema magazine of the republican era clearly reflects the cinema life of its day. During this period, limited domestic production meant that foreign films, particularly from Europe and the United States, notably Hollywood, dominated the cinematic landscape. This era also witnessed the emergence of the movie star, further shaped by Hollywood's influence. This article delves into the intricate web of relationships between the contemporary press, popular literature, and cinema, where the concepts of cine-roman and cinema writer gained prominence and became an integral part of cinematic culture. Sinema Postasi not only offers valuable insights into the early days of Turkish cinema but also serves as a valuable window onto the broader cultural and cinematic shifts during this transformative period.