Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies A People (2006)
This groundbreaking documentary dissects a slanderous aspect of cinematic history that has run virtually unchallenged from the earliest days of silent film to today's biggest Hollywood blockbusters. Featuring acclaimed author Dr. Jack Shaheen, the film explores a long line of degrading images of Arabs - from Bedouin bandits and submissive maidens to sinister sheikhs and gun-wielding "terrorists" - along the way offering devastating insights into the origin of these stereotypic images, their development at key points in US history, and why they matter so much today. Shaheen shows how the persistence of these images over time has served to naturalize prejudicial attitudes toward Arabs and Arab culture, in the process reinforcing a narrow view of individual Arabs and the effects of specific US domestic and international policies on their lives. By inspiring critical thinking about the social, political, and basic human consequences of leaving these Hollywood caricatures unexamined, the film challenges viewers to recognize the urgent need for counter-narratives that do justice to the diversity and humanity of Arab people and the reality and richness of Arab history and culture.
Primary Title
- Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies A People
Date Broadcast
- Monday 15 December 2008
Release Year
- 2006
Start Time
- 10 : 30
Finish Time
- 11 : 30
Duration
- 60:00
Channel
- Documentary Channel
Broadcaster
- Sky Network Television
Programme Description
- This groundbreaking documentary dissects a slanderous aspect of cinematic history that has run virtually unchallenged from the earliest days of silent film to today's biggest Hollywood blockbusters. Featuring acclaimed author Dr. Jack Shaheen, the film explores a long line of degrading images of Arabs - from Bedouin bandits and submissive maidens to sinister sheikhs and gun-wielding "terrorists" - along the way offering devastating insights into the origin of these stereotypic images, their development at key points in US history, and why they matter so much today. Shaheen shows how the persistence of these images over time has served to naturalize prejudicial attitudes toward Arabs and Arab culture, in the process reinforcing a narrow view of individual Arabs and the effects of specific US domestic and international policies on their lives. By inspiring critical thinking about the social, political, and basic human consequences of leaving these Hollywood caricatures unexamined, the film challenges viewers to recognize the urgent need for counter-narratives that do justice to the diversity and humanity of Arab people and the reality and richness of Arab history and culture.
Classification
- M
Owning Collection
- Television Vault
Broadcast Platform
- Television
Languages
- English
Captions
Live Broadcast
- No
Rights Statement
- Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Subjects
- Stereotypes (Social psychology) in motion pictures
- Motion pictures--History
- Arabs in motion pictures
- Documentary films--United States
Genres
- Documentary
Hosts
- Jack Shaheen (Narrator)
Contributors
- Sut Jhally (Director)
- Jeremy Earp (Producer)
- Jack Shaheen (Writer)
- Jeremy Earp (Writer)
- Simon Shaheen (Composer)
- Media Education Foundation (Production Unit)
Subjects
- Stereotypes (Social psychology) in motion pictures
- Motion pictures--History
- Arabs in motion pictures
- Documentary films--United States