I am now seriously considering buying the book, but I still have three unfinished books from last year :(
Crimson Clupeidaesays
Ironically, about the only franchise that doesn’t apply the stereotype is the series of James Bond flicks. The series is all about global terrorism, but it’s mostly Russian bloc and the occasional western european that are the bad guys.
I can’t think of a single other film (not that I watch a lot) or franchise though, with even a hint of terrorism as a theme, that doesn’t use arab/muslim/middle easterners, though.
Ice Swimmersays
I only watched the first half of the video, but that was already enough to show just how nasty and widespread the Arab stereotype is.
Crimson Clupeidae @ 4
Die Hard? I’ve only seen the first, though, and in that the terrorists were Germans.
rqsays
Ice Swimmer
Die Hard would fit the bill: it’s Germans, then Americans (to free a Latin American), then Germans again, then… possibly American? and the fifth film is set in Russia and Ukraine (well, Chernobyl). But to be honest I can’t remember how the last three or so classify their villains (as terrorists or just villains).
(While not Arab, both Germans and Russians are well-over-used terrorists in film, too. I’d like to see a terrorist from Iceland for once.)
khmssays
How about an American? It’s not as if there aren’t many historic examples …
Very powerful.
Informative, too. I’d never seen Disney’s Aladdin, but I can’t say I’m surprised, they live and die by stereotype.
I am now seriously considering buying the book, but I still have three unfinished books from last year :(
Ironically, about the only franchise that doesn’t apply the stereotype is the series of James Bond flicks. The series is all about global terrorism, but it’s mostly Russian bloc and the occasional western european that are the bad guys.
I can’t think of a single other film (not that I watch a lot) or franchise though, with even a hint of terrorism as a theme, that doesn’t use arab/muslim/middle easterners, though.
I only watched the first half of the video, but that was already enough to show just how nasty and widespread the Arab stereotype is.
Crimson Clupeidae @ 4
Die Hard? I’ve only seen the first, though, and in that the terrorists were Germans.
Ice Swimmer
Die Hard would fit the bill: it’s Germans, then Americans (to free a Latin American), then Germans again, then… possibly American? and the fifth film is set in Russia and Ukraine (well, Chernobyl). But to be honest I can’t remember how the last three or so classify their villains (as terrorists or just villains).
(While not Arab, both Germans and Russians are well-over-used terrorists in film, too. I’d like to see a terrorist from Iceland for once.)
How about an American? It’s not as if there aren’t many historic examples …
A Hollywood *boom* *ratatatratatat* *boom* movie with an American terrorist? That ain’t gonna happen.