The Ottomans Conquer Latin America: The Rise of Turkish Melodramas

Abstract:This article explores the Turkish telenovela phenomenon that has swept Latin America since 2014 and, more recently, the Hispanic media market in the US. Drawing on media scholar Marwan Kraidy's concept of hybridity, the article examines the processes and conditions that created fertile ground for the enthusiastic reception of dizis, the name by which these series are known in Turkey. The article briefly examines the cross-pollination that is taking place between the Turkish dizi, an already hybrid genre, and the Latin American telenovela. It suggests that these cross-cultural exchanges are fueling a renewal of the Latin American telenovela after years of decline. The article's analysis of the internationally successful melodrama ¿Qué culpa tiene Fatmagul? provides an in-depth example for the discussion. The paper explores the reasons why this telenovela in particular has resonated strongly with audiences all around Latin America.