Hollywood Uses Films as a Diplomatic Tool

(MENAFN) Films have served as an instrument of diplomacy since the camera's invention, according to Turkish musician and composer Burak Saygili, who spoke on Friday at the Film Diplomacy Conference 2025 in Istanbul.

"Hollywood cinema, like other cinemas, uses cinema and the camera as a diplomatic tool," he remarked, highlighting the medium’s long-standing role in shaping international perceptions.

Saygili pointed to movies like The Pianist, Schindler's List, and Inglourious Basterds as instances where films have been utilized to underscore the Holocaust and the crimes committed by Hitler.

He noted that the creation of the camera revolutionized communication, rendering written texts less central, and now even the traditional big screen is facing challenges as digital platforms reach new heights.

"If we are going to say something in the field of diplomacy, we must definitely do something related to digital channels," Saygili added, emphasizing the need for modern approaches.

Additionally, he cautioned against cultural imperialism, mentioning Hollywood productions that often standardize content and are consumed worldwide.

"Cultural diplomacy should not turn into cultural imperialism. Cultures should develop with each other, but we should not impose one culture on another," he stressed, advocating for mutual cultural growth rather than domination.

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