Hollywood: Casting the Enemy

Josh Rushing talking to Tony Shalhoub

June 5, 2007

Introduction

by Housewife4palestine

I came across this piece thanks to Al Jazeera , what came to mind is all the propaganda video’s that are on the web as well as Hollywood depicting not just Palestinians, but anyone that is Arab in a derogatory manner.

While this is a shameful representation to untruth of the majority of the Arab world and Islam as a whole, I am amazed of how many especially in the West believe these falsehoods towards a world they have yet to understand and from what I have seen some really do not wish too. They would rather roll up in their blindness, then study history or what the world is really like.
It seems to be those filled with these misconceptions would rather insult those of us who are Arab or Muslim, then see us towards who we really are.

With the precept of what is going on between the Palestinians and Israel for example, these self same people have the idea that the Palestinians are the people without out peace on their lips and while this is so far from the truth. Again with a an example, just in the last year about three idea’s towards peace in the region as came across the table and each time it was not the Palestinians that said no towards peace, but the Israel’s.

The Al Jazeera Article

Since movie-making began, the US film industry has often been accused of perpetuating negative stereotypes - the incompetent African-American and the savage Native American, the sinister Asian and Italian mafia mobster are all Hollywood staples.

But while American cinema has evolved to depict a more balanced view of many cultures, world events mean that Arabs remain the 'bad guys' of choice poised to threaten the Hollywood hero.
From Bedouin thieves to gun-wielding terrorists, Arabs and Muslims are struggling to be cast in a sympathetic light.

There are concerns from some that as these images permeate the audience's consciousness, so too does misperception and fear.

Josh Rushing, right, with actor Alexander Siddig Ironically, it seems that since 9/11, the way in which Arabs are portrayed in Hollywood films has become more nuanced.

A number of Arab actors and filmmakers have made names for themselves within the industry and that fame offers the opportunity for Arabs and Muslims to transcend the on-screen stereotypes.

Join Al Jazeera's Josh Rushing in conversation with some of the most prominent Arab voices in Hollywood as he explores Hollywood's influence on how different cultures precieve one another.

From the star power of Tony Shalhoub, the legendary Omar Sharif and Star Trek regular Alexander Siddig, to a film about Arab-American frustrations in the aftermath of 9/11, conventions are being actively challenged, and new stories are starting to emerge.

Watch Hollywood: Casting the Enemy here:

Part 1:

Part 2:



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