Bocuk: An Ancient Ritual

In the Turkish village of Karacabey, winter nights transform into a stage for an ancient ritual. Villagers dress as the mythical creature Bocuk, going door-to-door to collect offerings. This pre-Islamic tradition survives in only a few communities. Filmmaker Ayşe Güven explores how modernity clashes with custom, and how younger generations reinterpret old practices. The 2026 documentary reveals more than folk performance—it captures the living fabric of collective memory, where masks conceal both faces and social anxieties. Viewers witness costume preparations, nocturnal processions, and candid conversations with participants across generations.