Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People (2006)

  • NR
  • 11/01/2006 (US)
  • Documentary
  • 50m

Overview

This documentary dissects a slanderous aspect of cinematic history that has run virtually unchallenged form the earliest days of silent film to today's biggest Hollywood blockbusters. 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.

Jeremy Earp

Director, Writer

Sut Jhally

Director

Jack Shaheen

Writer

Cast

Jack Shaheen's headshot

Jack Shaheen

Self

Recommendations