A Book and a Movie: “Pains of Autumn”

Abstract

The novel “Pains of Autumn” analyzes one of the most painful days in Türkiye's history, the events of September 6-7, 1955. At the same time, it conveys to the readers the mistakes of the Democratic Party government, the mistakes of Prime Minister Adnan Menderes and the existence of the “deep state” in Türkiye. Former minister and member of parliament Yılmaz Karakoyunlu's novel, published in 2005, is about an interesting love story in the foreground and minority policies in the background. The script of the movie, directed by Tomris Giritlioğlu and shot in 2008, is a very successful adaptation. While the novel progresses through the events between medical student Behçet and his lovers and the tension he experiences with his father, preparations for the events of September 6-7 continue in the background. On the night of September 5, 1955, a bomb was thrown into the garden of Atatürk's house in Thessaloniki, and immediately afterwards, organized crowds began to gather in Taksim in Istanbul. The government-controlled İstanbul Ekspres newspaper was launched with its final edition at noon on September 6. As the crowd walks from Taksim Square to İstiklal Street, it begins to destroy every place it passes. Showcases are smashed and all items are thrown onto the street. The money and property of non-Muslim minorities are confiscated. As a result of this event, planned by Menderes to protest the Cyprus events and to ensure that minorities leave the country, things got out of control, and according to official statements, approximately 1000 workplaces and 5000 houses belonging to minorities were looted, 100 churches were burned and 15 people lost their lives.