Shivangi Sinha
Netflix’s ‘Graveyard,’ originally titled Mezarlık, is a Turkish crime thriller series set in the world of detectives and investigations. The story begins when the Turkish National Police establishes a Special Crime Unit to address the rising cases of femicide and gender-based crimes. To lead the unit—and to challenge gender disparities within law enforcement—Önem Özülkü is appointed as its captain. She is joined by a dedicated team, including IT specialist Nergis Üzmez and coroner Feriha Mahmudzade.
Created by Tevfik Akbasli, the first season was released in 2022 and it delves into various issues related to violence against women. The second season continues their pursuit of justice and explores their personal struggles and the fight to bring justice to those who are often ignored. The series has delicately handled some larger looming societal issues and offers an initiation into conversations that must be had. Each episode brings topics that plague not just a particular region but the world as a whole into focus.
Graveyard Draws Inspiration From Real-Life Cases That Left the World in Shock
Written by Onur Böber, Özden Uçar, and Evren Oğuz, ‘Graveyard’ is not based on a single true story but is inspired by real-world events. Femicide— the intentional killing of women because of their gender—remains a pervasive issue worldwide. This form of violence is often fueled by misogyny, systemic inequality, and cultural norms that tolerate harm against women. This takes many forms, including domestic abuse, honor killings, acid attacks, and sexual violence. In some countries, women are murdered by their partners or family members for perceived disobedience, while in others, cases of trafficking, forced marriages, and workplace harassment contribute to the ongoing crisis.
For instance, in the first episode of the debut season, Önem Özülkü and her team investigate a case where a woman’s charred remains are discovered inside a bus. It is revealed that she was burned alive. This storyline bears a striking resemblance to a real-life case from Turkey. On February 11, 2015, 19-year-old university student Özgecan Aslan was traveling by bus when she was assaulted by the driver, Ahmet Suphi Altındöken. She fought back, but two days later, on February 13, her burned remains were found inside the vehicle. Her murder ignited nationwide outrage and prompted women across Turkey to protest against the deeply ingrained culture of gender-based violence. While the police swiftly arrested the perpetrator and his accomplices, Necmettin Altındöken and Fatih Gökçe, the case became a turning point in the fight against femicide and inspired many women to speak out against the systemic violence they face.
Another episode centers on the brutal murder of a young amateur pop singer, Nefise Keskin. This mirrors the 2008 killing of Italian performer and feminist artist Giuseppina Pasqualino di Marineo, better known as Pippa Bacca. She started on a journey to Turkey as part of a performance art piece aimed at promoting world peace and harmony, symbolically hitchhiking while wearing a wedding dress to spread a message of trust. However, her journey was cut short when she was last seen in Gebze on March 31, 2008. Days later, her body was discovered, and authorities arrested Murat Karataş, who confessed to the crime and claimed he did it while he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Graveyard Stands for Women-Led Justice
The deployment of women-led forces to address crimes specifically targeting women is not an uncommon practice. This is done because female officers who handle cases involving gender-based violence can create a safer and more comfortable environment for survivors. They also bring a deeper understanding of the social and psychological factors that contribute to such crimes. For instance, the Crimes Against Women Cell was established by the Delhi Police in India in 1983 to handle cases of domestic violence, dowry harassment, and other forms of abuse targeting women. Similarly, in 2020, the Bangladesh Police launched an all-women unit to combat the growing instances of online harassment and abuse faced by women in digital spaces. These examples are not isolated; similar units have been created worldwide.
The series has been able to infuse a strong sense of reality because of the world it creates. While the dramatization of a thriller adds to its nuance, its humanity remains at the core, carried by its central characters, who are each fighting their own battles against patriarchy in different ways. This struggle is not unfamiliar—women in law enforcement, investigative journalism, and activism often face systemic barriers and prejudices while working to bring justice to others. Whether it’s Önem Özülkü leading a team in a male-dominated field or other female characters confronting societal expectations, the series reflects the resilience of women and the brave fights they constantly engage in.
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