Women's stories from Anatolia come to life in a documentary and a book

The documentary "ANA'DOLU: Bacılar, Bibiler ve Ezeler" and the book "Eşikteki Kadın" in which Assoc. Prof. Gabriela Oana Olaru, a faculty member in the Department of Public Relations and Advertising at the Istanbul Medipol University School of Communication, served as a project researcher, have been completed. The study led by Prof. Ebru Güzel, culminated in a scientific and cultural publication following approximately two years of extensive field research. 

During field studies conducted across different regions of Anatolia, women's life experiences, oral narratives, cultural practices, and intergenerational knowledge were documented. The documentary and the book, produced as the outcomes of the research, examine the place of women in Anatolian social life and their role in historical memory from cultural, sociological, and communication perspectives.

The book "Eşikteki Kadın" scheduled to be published by Ötüken Neşriyat at the end of July, accompanies the documentary "ANA'DOLU: Bacılar, Bibiler ve Ezeler" which has been submitted to numerous national and international film festivals. The documentary is also planned to be broadcast on Tarih TV in the future.
 

ANATOLIA'S CULTURAL MEMORY DOCUMENTED THROUGH WOMEN'S NARRATIVES
The documentary takes its name from the concepts of "bacı", "bibi", and "eze" which hold an important place in Anatolian culture. In the study, these concepts are examined not merely as kinship terms but as cultural structures through which women undertake roles in production, solidarity, guidance, and social responsibility.

As part of the research, interviews conducted with women in different cities highlight, through their own life stories, the importance of producing, acting collectively, supporting one another, and sustaining a shared culture of living. Throughout the documentary, the strongest common theme expressed by the participants is that solidarity is one of the fundamental values that empowers individuals and sustains society.

While some narratives draw attention to the often-unseen role of women's labor in sustaining families and communities, others emphasize how knowledge, experience, and cultural traditions are passed from one generation to the next through women. In this way, the documentary combines the findings of academic research with authentic stories from the field, making the living memory of Anatolian women visible.

BRINGING HISTORICAL HERITAGE TO THE PRESENT
The documentary approaches motherhood not only as a biological identity but also as a form of social organization that shapes solidarity and a shared culture of living. Through research centered on Anatolian narratives, rituals, and cultural heritage, the historical origins of the concepts of bacı, bibi, and eze are examined, demonstrating how these structures reflect women's productive and unifying roles within society.

The project also explores the cultural legacy of the Bacıyan-ı Rum tradition that emerged in Anatolia during the 14th century. Historical practices such as women working collectively, establishing networks of solidarity, and sustaining communal life are examined alongside contemporary examples including women's cooperatives, local production initiatives and community solidarity projects.

The women's narratives featured in the documentary also provide important testimonies supporting this historical continuity. Participants describe production not merely as an economic activity but as a way of sharing, coexisting, and strengthening one another. In this respect, the project makes visible the traces of women's solidarity in the cultural memory from the past to the present.
 

TO BE SCREENED AT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS
The documentary "ANA'DOLU: Bacılar, Bibiler ve Ezeler" the visual outcome of the research, has been submitted to numerous national and international film festivals, including the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, Trabzon Film Festival, Miami Film Festival, Montreal Women Film Festival, Toronto International Women Film Festival, New York Short Film Festival, and IDFA.

In addition to its festival journey, the documentary is expected to be broadcast for television audiences. The written outcome of the research, the book "Eşikteki Kadın" is scheduled to be published by Ötüken Neşriyat at the end of July.