Deeply divided and marked by hatred and fear, Turkey remains in a state of chaos almost a year after the failed coup of July 2016. President Erdogan’s crackdown on dissent has impacted all aspects of society, not just those affiliated with Fethullah Gülen. Kurdish minorities, liberal and left-wing politicians, journalists, writers – many others besides have lost their jobs, property or fled the country. The president has called the day of the thwarted coup a national holiday, a move that many view as an attempt to create a founding myth of a “New Turkey.” As the tensions simmer, mistrust and fear have become the only unifying factors of Turkey’s polarized nation.
In this documentary, DW takes us beneath the surface of Turkish society to explore this deeply divided country. Anchored in personal narratives of people from both sides of the divide, the documentary sheds light on how mistrust and fear have created an us-versus-them mentality. Through gripping footage and insightful interviews, the documentary questions President Erdogan’s authoritarianism and examines Turkey’s future with critics and supporters sharing their perspectives.
