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Big_Bird
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: Sometimes here sometimes there...
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 Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:26 am Post subject: Hollywood's one 'Good Arab' |
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One good Arab
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| There are two differences between the recent crop of such films and their older counterparts: they now employ real Arabs to perpetuate the old stereotypes, and they utilise a token Arab "good guy" to make up for the fact that the rest of the Arab characters are bad. |
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The "good Arab" is Saudi Colonel Faris al-Ghazi, played by Israeli-Palestinian actor Ashraf Barhoum. He helps the FBI team and is fond of American culture, having grown up watching The Six Million Dollar Man and The Hulk, who was his inspiration in his career choice in law enforcement because the superhero "killed only the bad guys". Al Ghazi is the only Arab in The Kingdom who we get to know and empathise with (this is even the case with Saladin and Prince Nasir in the far more balanced Kingdom of Heaven and Syriana, respectively). On the other hand, we are exposed in depth to the humanity, grief, compassion, determination, ability and patriotism of most of the American characters.
The overall message of this gung-ho film is as simple as it is dangerous: America's allies in the Middle East are unreliable and unstable, so whatever the objections and consequences, the US can and must project its power in the region to defend itself, safeguard its interests and secure justice against those who inherently seek the demise of the west and - we are reminded several times at the end of the film - Israel.
Put simply, The Kingdom perpetuates negative stereotypes for a quick buck and an adrenaline rush, at a time in the world where breeding such ignorance and prejudice has proven catastrophic. |
My favourite Hollywood stereotype is the evil British arch-villain, with the icy persona and the posh accent.  |
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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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If you hold Hollywood to high standards, you'll inevitably be disappointed.
Scratch that. If you hold Hollywood to moderate standards... |
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Tony_Balony
Joined: 12 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Tony Shaloub - AKA "Monk" is a race traitor kiss-White-butt kinda guy too. You get alot of cooperation when they get to marry White women. |
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happeningthang
Joined: 26 Apr 2003
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| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Tony_Balony wrote: |
| Tony Shaloub - AKA "Monk" is a race traitor kiss-White-butt kinda guy too. You get alot of cooperation when they get to marry White women. |
Not everyone's cursed with your handicap TB. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 12:29 am Post subject: |
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| My favourite Hollywood stereotype is the evil British arch-villain, with the icy persona and the posh accent. |
That particular stereotype is so common in Hollywood because it doesn't require any acting. |
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