Fans Are Furious: Lazarus Got Istanbul SO Wrong

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Summary

  • Setting is crucial in creating immersive story sequences.
  • Audiences took to social media to criticize Lazarus for misrepresenting Istanbul.
  • Accurate portrayal in entertainment should emphasize cultural details, and care to get an accurate depiction of people and places if they want to incorporate other cultures or locations.

In storytelling, the setting is nearly as crucial as characters when crafting convincing and immersive scenes. Take Adult Swim’s show “Lazarus”, for instance. This series is set in a fascinating future society of the 2050s that contrasts dramatically with our current world. The distinctive world depicted in “Lazarus” has been significantly altered by Dr. Deniz Skinner’s invention, Hapna, a cure-all drug that brought about an unprecedented three-year period of utmost bliss for humanity. However, much remains unknown about the intriguing universe unfolding across the series.

Upon Adult Swim sharing a clip from episode 3 of Lazarus, numerous viewers quickly took to the comment section to express their discontent over how the show portrayed Istanbul, Turkey. Instead, they perceived it as a vague representation more akin to Arabia, rather than an accurate depiction based on thorough research and understanding of Istanbul’s unique geography. Is this criticism justified? Let’s delve into it.

Let’s Get Into History

Istanbul: One of the Most Important Cities In History

Many people who watched the clip of Axel navigating the throngs of people in the streets of Istanbul commented on how different it seemed from the actual city. The main criticism was that it resembled a combination of Arabian cities, with influences from that specific aesthetic. While it’s true that Istanbul, founded by Greek settlers as early as the 7th century BCE, has elements related to the Arab world in its history, the portrayal appeared to exaggerate these connections.

The Ottoman Empire took over Istanbul as its imperial capital in the 15th century, following a series of previous rulers. Before this, Istanbul served as the capital for several empires including:

– The Byzantine Empire (330-1204), named after Emperor Constantine who established it and later renamed the city Constantinople in his honor.
– The Latin Empire (1204-1261) that replaced the Byzantine rule.
– The Late Byzantine Empire (1261-1453), also known as the Roman Empire, which was reclaimed by the Greek Palaiologos dynasty and regained its former name.

1453 marked the fall of Constantinople, a city that had served as the hub for interactions between Europe and the Middle East for six centuries under the Ottoman dynasty. By the 20th century, the Ottoman Empire was in a state of global turmoil. During this period, often referred to as the Ottoman Contraction, Muslims were persecuted, and territories once ruled by the Ottomans experienced widespread violence. This resulted in massive migration to Turkey as an escape from the violence, which is estimated to have cost around 6 million lives.

By the start of the 20th century, following the First World War, Turkey had a rich and lengthy history as an Islamic nation. Therefore, it’s not unexpected to find Islamic architecture in Lazarus’s depiction of Istanbul. However, the question isn’t about recognizing Islamic influence in the city, but rather verifying the accuracy of such a representation: Due to its long history and geographical position bridging Europe and Asia, Istanbul boasts architectural styles and structures from numerous cultural and aesthetic backgrounds. The oldest part of the city, found in the Fatih district, is often referred to as the “authentic” Istanbul because it existed before the city’s 19th-century expansion.

…the problem lies in the fact that, despite accompanying characters as they traverse a significant historical site, it remains uncertain which landmark specifically we are viewing.

What’s the Big Deal?

Misrepresentation Hurts

In Lazarus, which is set in the year 2050s, the cityscape is filled with futuristic elements, and Istanbul is no exception. The city appears to have been divided, with modern structures forming an impressive backdrop for buildings that resemble Turkey’s iconic mosques, churches, and other significant landmarks. However, as we delve into the stories of our characters while they traverse one of history’s most significant locations, it’s challenging to pinpoint a specific landmark with absolute certainty.

In the third episode of Lazarus, instead of replicating famous structures like the Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Galata Tower, or the Walls of Constantinople that characterize Istanbul, the depiction seems more like a vague, generalized representation of the city. What’s missing is not only recognizable Turkish landmarks but also distinctive features such as the Sea of Marmara and the Bosporus Strait, which are essential parts of Istanbul’s unique geography. This portrayal might come off as an oversimplification or orientalization of the city, potentially causing discomfort for those who reside in and identify with Istanbul.

Viewers desire an authentic and thoughtful portrayal of the city, with a deep appreciation for its culture and a commitment to accuracy in details. Merely imitating or approximating specific locations or cultures is insufficient; instead, it is crucial to delve into the intricate aspects, especially those that carry rich, complex histories. In the series, we are aware that Turkey experienced political turmoil which resulted in Deniz Skinner’s parents’ deaths at a young age, but the show fails to explore this aspect further.

Born in 1996, Skinner would have been 12 years old in the year 2008, a time marked by significant political turbulence in Turkey, as it was an election period and for the first time, individuals were arrested under suspicion of being linked to secretive, ultra-nationalist terrorist groups, specifically the Ergenekon organization. This group was accused by the Turkish public of attempting to overthrow the democratically elected government, although it’s uncertain if the turmoil described in the series could have led to an “alternate Istanbul”. However, it’s more probable that the city’s misrepresentation in the show stemmed from inadequate research.

For additional insights: Explore Britannica’s entry on Istanbul, consult Dr. Alpay’s work on Turkish Politics from 2008, check out the reports by Human Rights Watch, and read Alex McDonald’s piece titled “Ergenekon: The Unusual Case that Shaped Modern Turkey” (2019).

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2025-04-22 22:14