The Sheik: The Depiction Of Arabs In Hollywood Films

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4. Depiction of Arabs in Films As already mentioned, it is of great importance to analyse representation of Arabs in Hollywood films through time. There are some proven differences in the depiction of Arabs and the Middle East depending on the year of the release. These differences are, as many scholars believe, socially and politically determined. It is the fact that Arabs are mostly portrayed as terrorists in the last few decades. Since the emergence of the Arab-threat in the 1980s, the audience has been craving for the action films featuring Arabs as the main antagonists. However, many Arab characters can be found in the earlier Hollywood films and, unsurprisingly, they were the uncivilised lunatics even back then. In the following chapters, the representation of Arabs from different time periods will be analysed. 4.1. 1910s-1920s- The Exotic Middle East The Middle East has always been seen as an exotic place. The Middle Eastern people and their everyday lives were something unknown to ordinary Western viewers, so they have …show more content…

However, this romantic adventure is also disrespectful, dated and full of racist stereotypes and sexism. As we have seen, films from the 1920s were often based on loose interpretations of the Middle East and The Sheik is one of the most famous. The Sheik, Shaheen argues, plays on the Western fantasies of exoticism (Reel 51). Back in the 1920s, Middle Eastern countries were seen as exotic places. These lands were perfect settings for Hollywood films of romance and adventure. The Sheik is mostly set in a desert and there are a lot of scenes that show beautiful sand dunes, castles and colourful costumes which give the exotic charm to this silent drama, the charm that many Westerners enjoyed back then (Shaheen Reel 51). It was something new and exciting for the audience, as the Middle East was perceived as a mysterious place full of wonders. Or in other words, as something completely different from the

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