Reel Bad Arabs – How Hollywood Vilifies a People

Review by Zainab Nouri Al Mufti

The Short:

An extension of the book of the same name by Dr. Jack Shaheen, this documentary analyses how Arabs have been depicted in Hollywood movies for over a century. It highlights the vilification and inherent racism towards Arabs, present in some of the most famous films from cinema’s earliest days to contemporary Hollywood blockbusters. 

The Long:

Self-narrated by Dr Jack Shaheen, this documentary dissects the slanderous history of films over the past century. As with the book of the same name, it is split into two sections: in the first section the narrator explores the sordid history of Hollywood’s depiction of Arabs, whilst the second is an exhaustive list of the many films that contain anti-Arab messages. In the first section, the narrator analyses the most predominant stereotypes used against Arabs, for example: savage bandits, nomadic tribes or evil & over sexed sheikhs. He unpicks the variety of ways that these stereotypes are communicated – from exaggerated animation to subtle character traits.

Interestingly, he also comments on the depiction of Arab women throughout the 20th century as exotic, enticing belly dancers and shows the juxtaposition & change that occurred after world events of the 21st century – emphasising how Arab women are now portrayed as oppressed and often shown in full religious garments, dressed fully in black. The discussion builds as the narrator explains how a film’s subject matter or it’s ‘choice’ of Arab stereotype is so closely linked to American foreign policy of the time, and how many American war movies are produced with direct supervision from the American Department of Defence.

In the second section of the film, the narrator traverses a list of famous films that contain anti-Arab messages, and gives a brief description of why these particular films are inherently racist and damaging to the portrayal of Arabs. From children’s Disney movies, to blockbuster action films, the list is surprising and will make you rethink many of the films that you have watched in the past. 

To watch or not to watch:

Watch! Whilst many may believe that the bias and stereotyping of Arabs in media is a 21st century phenomenon, this documentary reveals how embedded it has always been in media. It underlines the parallels & relationship between politics and the entertainment business, and how damaging this type of media content is to Arabs, and other ethnic minorities in the Western world and beyond.