Being young means facing countless possibilities as well as uncertainties about the future. In Marriage Is Beautiful, Feride Bağ portrays Bahar, the youngest daughter of a large family who is trying to pursue her own dreams. We spoke with Feride Bağ about Bahar’s place within her family, her academic goals, the younger generation’s anxieties about the future, and Generation Z’s approach to relationships.
Bahar is the youngest daughter in a large family that is deeply attached to its traditions. At the same time, she is a young woman with dreams for her own future. How do you think growing up in such a family influences the process of shaping her own identity?
I think being the youngest child in the family has had a significant impact on Bahar. Losing her mother at a young age and being raised by her older sisters seems to have left a part of her that is still stuck in adolescence. I also get the impression that her family treats her somewhat like a child. Since her turn to receive attention from her sisters never quite seems to come, some of the behaviours she has developed to attract attention and be noticed may make her appear a little spoiled from the outside, but I definitely don’t think she is.
On the contrary, Bahar also shows that she is a mature young woman who is aware of her responsibilities when the situation calls for it. She is a multifaceted character who wants to pursue an academic career, remains attached to her traditions, and has clear dreams and goals for her future.
Being young means having countless possibilities while also living with uncertainties about the future. When portraying Bahar, what aspects of your own generation do you recognise in her dreams and anxieties?
The academic career opportunity that slipped away from Bahar because of her computer is actually a very realistic reflection of our generation. We are told that there are countless possibilities and opportunities, yes, but the conditions under which people can access these opportunities vary greatly. As a result, our generation faces an extremely competitive environment.
To succeed or reach a good position, you always need to outperform others or have something that sets you apart. Otherwise, even if you have access to countless opportunities, you still struggle with the anxiety of going unnoticed.
Freedom and individuality play an important role in the way Generation Z approaches relationships. Does committing to someone today mean giving up your own freedom?
To be honest, I am also very attached to my freedom and individuality. Sometimes, even on my days off, I just want to spend time alone without seeing anyone. I think the most important thing here is who you choose to commit to. If the other person is like you, respects your opinions and personal space, and you can create that sense of freedom together, then I don’t think you are giving anything up.
On the contrary, you are adding a wonderful new dimension to your life. But if the other person is restrictive, wants to be joined at the hip and does not give you any space, then of course you can end up feeling as though you have given up everything. That is why communication is so important. From the very beginning, both people need to know what they want. And if the other person changes later on and starts making you feel suffocated, I think you should simply part ways without dragging things out.
