Meryem’s Ballad: The Odyssey of a Guest-Worker is a reinterpretation of Richard Wagner’s portrayal of Senta from The Flying Dutchman—a self-sacrificing female figure—and her friend Meryem. It tells the story of the two women, their friendships, and their roles as factory workers at Pierburg, an auto parts factory in Neuss, in 1973.
During a short work break, Meryem, a Turkish “guest worker,” listens uneasily as Senta sings about her upcoming marriage to a man who expects her to leave her job and become a housewife. Meryem questions this decision, reflecting on her own path to emancipation, which began when she left her homeland and continued in her pursuit of equality. She explores the recurring themes of migration and womanhood, weaving a cyclical story through the songs of the indie duo BABELFIS and the visuals of Mert Akbal.