Omar and Us: Migration, Displacement and Family Dynamics

Saygın Koray Doğaner

Article Details

Omar and Us: Migration, Displacement and Family Dynamics

Authors:

Saygın Koray Doğaner

Publisher:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics:

İletişim Çalışmaları | Aile Antropolojisi | Aile Sosyolojisi | Kültür Sosyolojisi | Aile Psikolojisi

Journal:

Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue Aile Özel Sayısı, pp.403-421

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

10/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348038

pISSN:

1302-1265

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This study focuses on the cinematic representation of migration, displacement and family dynamics through the film Omar and Us 2019. The aim of the research is to show how the experience of migration creates ruptures in family structures on both individual and social levels and how these ruptures are made visible through the film narrative. In this context, the film is considered not only as a narrative but also as a visual space of thought where concepts such as chosen family, authority, identity, cultural conflict and emotional transformation coexist. The study adopts a qualitative approach and analyzes the film scenes using content analysis. The spatial distance between characters, use of space and everyday interactions are interpreted as reflections of family forms transformed by migration. The findings indicate that migration transforms the concept of family not only physically but also culturally, psychologically and relationally. In the film, universal rituals such as loss and mourning provide a shared ground where the chosen family structure becomes visible both physically and symbolically. Characters from Turkey, Syria and the United States share not only space but also grief, producing a mutual sense of belonging. Thus, the film suggests that the identity and belonging crises caused by migration can be addressed through reconstructed family structures shaped by collective mourning. Omar and Us questions traditional definitions of family and reveals structural and emotional transformations caused by migration by offering new possibilities for social connection.

 This study focuses on the cinematic representation of migration, displacement and family dynamics through the film Omar and Us 2019. The aim of the research is to show how the experience of migration creates ruptures in family structures on both individual and social levels and how these ruptures are made visible through the film narrative. In this context, the film is considered not only as a narrative but also as a visual space of thought where concepts such as chosen family, authority, identity, cultural conflict and emotional transformation coexist. The study adopts a qualitative approach and analyzes the film scenes using content analysis. The spatial distance between characters, use of space and everyday interactions are interpreted as reflections of family forms transformed by migration. The findings indicate that migration transforms the concept of family not only physically but also culturally, psychologically and relationally. In the film, universal rituals such as loss and mourning provide a shared ground where the chosen family structure becomes visible both physically and symbolically. Characters from Turkey, Syria and the United States share not only space but also grief, producing a mutual sense of belonging. Thus, the film suggests that the identity and belonging crises caused by migration can be addressed through reconstructed family structures shaped by collective mourning. Omar and Us questions traditional definitions of family and reveals structural and emotional transformations caused by migration by offering new possibilities for social connection.

 This study focuses on the cinematic representation of migration, displacement and family dynamics through the film Omar and Us 2019. The aim of the research is to show how the experience of migration creates ruptures in family structures on both individual and social levels and how these ruptures are made visible through the film narrative. In this context, the film is considered not only as a narrative but also as a visual space of thought where concepts such as chosen family, authority, identity, cultural conflict and emotional transformation coexist. The study adopts a qualitative approach and analyzes the film scenes using content analysis. The spatial distance between characters, use of space and everyday interactions are interpreted as reflections of family forms transformed by migration. The findings indicate that migration transforms the concept of family not only physically but also culturally, psychologically and relationally. In the film, universal rituals such as loss and mourning provide a shared ground where the chosen family structure becomes visible both physically and symbolically. Characters from Turkey, Syria and the United States share not only space but also grief, producing a mutual sense of belonging. Thus, the film suggests that the identity and belonging crises caused by migration can be addressed through reconstructed family structures shaped by collective mourning. Omar and Us questions traditional definitions of family and reveals structural and emotional transformations caused by migration by offering new possibilities for social connection.

 Bu çalışma, Omar ve Biz 2019 filmi üzerinden göç, yerinden edilme ve aile dinamiklerinin sinemadaki temsiline odaklanmaktadır. Araştırmanın amacı, göçmenlik deneyiminin bireysel ve toplumsal düzeyde aile yapısında yarattığı kırılmaları ve bu kırılmaların film anlatısı aracılığıyla nasıl görünür hâle geldiğini ortaya koymaktır. Bu bağlamda film, yalnızca bir anlatı değil, aynı zamanda seçilmiş aile, otorite, kimlik, kültürel çatışma ve duygusal dönüşüm gibi olguların bir aradalığını sunan görsel bir düşünce alanı olarak ele alınmaktadır. Çalışmada nitel yöntem benimsenmiş, film sahneleri içerik analiziyle incelenmiştir. Filmdeki karakterler arasındaki mesafe, mekân kullanımı ve gündelik etkileşimler, göçle birlikte dönüşen aile yapısını anlamlandırmak için yorumlanmıştır. Bulgular, göçmenlik deneyiminin yalnızca fiziksel değil, aynı zamanda kültürel, psikolojik ve ilişkisel düzeyde de aile kavramını dönüştürdüğünü göstermektedir. Filmde kayıp ve yas gibi evrensel ritüeller, yalnızca bireysel duyguların ifadesine değil, aynı zamanda farklı etnik ve kültürel kökenlerden bireylerin bir araya geldiği seçilmiş aile yapısının fiziksel ve simgesel düzeyde görünürlük kazandığı ortak bir zemin sunar. Türkiye, Suriye ve Amerikadan gelen karakterler, yalnızca mekânı değil, kaybı paylaşarak ortak bir aidiyet deneyimi üretir. Böylece film, göçün neden olduğu kimlik ve aidiyet krizlerinin, kolektif yas süreçleri üzerinden yeniden inşa edilen aile formlarıyla aşılabildiğine işaret eder. Omar ve Biz, geleneksel aile tanımlarını sorgulayan ve yeni toplumsal birliktelik biçimlerine olanak sunarak, göçün yarattığı yapısal ve duygusal dönüşümleri görünür kılmaktadır.

Article Details

Omar and Us: Migration, Displacement and Family Dynamics

Authors:

Saygın Koray Doğaner

Publisher:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics:

İletişim Çalışmaları | Aile Antropolojisi | Aile Sosyolojisi | Kültür Sosyolojisi | Aile Psikolojisi

Journal:

Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue Aile Özel Sayısı, pp.403-421

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

10/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348038

pISSN:

1302-1265

Migration

Displacement

Family Dynamics

Chosen Family

CinemaGöç

Yerinden Edilme

Aile Dinamikleri

Seçilmiş Aile

Sinema

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Saygın Koray Doğaner

Publisher: Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics: İletişim Çalışmaları | Aile Antropolojisi | Aile Sosyolojisi | Kültür Sosyolojisi | Aile Psikolojisi

Journal: Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue Aile Özel Sayısı, pp.403-421

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 10/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001348038

pISSN: 1302-1265

Issues

Authors:

Saygın Koray Doğaner

Publisher:

Afyon Kocatepe University

Main Topics:

İletişim Çalışmaları | Aile Antropolojisi | Aile Sosyolojisi | Kültür Sosyolojisi | Aile Psikolojisi

Journal:

Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.27 Issue Aile Özel Sayısı, pp.403-421

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

10/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001348038

pISSN:

1302-1265