Reel Bad Arabs

This is an interesting topic in today's day and age. “Reel Bad Arabs” is a groundbreaking documentary that 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. Shaheen analyzes over 900 Hollywood films made from 1896 to 2004, Dr. Shaheen exposes American cinema's systematic and pervasive degradation and dehumanization of Arabs. It's quite interesting and is definitely going to open up a great discussion. Watch the documentary below. Speaking of discussion there is one on this film Thursday, October 16, 2008 6PM – 7:30PM at Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, Room 802. For more information please contact Tanesha Barnes at (tanesha.barnes@nyu.edu)