A Morality Discussion on Cinema in Turkey in the Early 20th Century

Since cinematography secured its place within the entertainment methods through the end of the 19th century, its share in the visual entertainment grew day by day. It entered into Ottoman lands shortly after the first cinematographic viewing in 1895. It reached masses through word-of-mouth in the aftermath of the first viewing in the Sponek Beerhouse and, as the number of viewers increased excessively, the viewing practices also changed, which brought about the moral debates regarding the cinema. This study aims to focus on its impacts in Ottoman society in terms of the discussions of the then thinkers. Right at the beginning of 20th century, the discussions made by partially conservative Ottoman intelligentsia in regard to the benefits and harms of cinema, give clues about various dimensions of the reception processes