Avalanche

“You must not forget that laws, however ruthless they may seem, ultimately serve the happiness of the people.” In Tuncer Cücenoğlu’s play, “Avalanche”, the saying “Speech is silver, silence is golden” is taken to the extreme. Through intimidation and the cultivation of fear, the authoritarian regime of a small community has managed, for generations, to impose absolute obedience. Anyone could trigger the death of everyone at any moment, and therefore, questioning the laws and traditions is suppressed. However, in a family striving to do everything right, decisions and actions begin to be rushed, with potentially fatal consequences. Loyalty is thus quickly abandoned to maintain the appearance of a “good citizen.” And yet, what is the absolute limit that can be reached, given that love for family proves stronger than any law or tradition?
With a satirical eye and plenty of humour, Cücenoğlu casts an uncomfortable light on the absurdities of daily life for those surviving under oppression. In a world where logical arguments are replaced by redundant tautologies, a young couple says “no”, taking everyone’s fate into their own hands. Their actions will bring to light a fact the regime did not consider: in the end, the truth always comes out…