Like so many Millenials and Generation X, I was ‘raised’ in a sense by TV and movies; from watching Jackie Chan and Robin Williams and Jim Carrey as a child, to my adolescence filled with the Hard R action of John Woo and Tarantino to my adulthood in which films have become akin to a sacred or spiritual experience. I consider the great masters like Martin Scorcese, David Lynch, Akira Kurosawa, Terrence Malick, Aamir Khan, Paul Thomas Anderson (too many to name!) to be teachers in a sense providing glimpses into realities and lives of characters so foreign, yet so remarkably similar to myself.
The 8-part series I made below is not a criticism of Hollywood or movies (although there’s plenty of that to go around), but rather a hope for a reconciliation on how these two worlds (Islam and media) which bring so much humanity to my life (and billions of others) can be merged more consciously, symbolically, spiritually, etc. So that others can mirror their own lives in the reflection of our worlds, just as I have been fortunate to do my entire life.
1st part delves into Hollywood in the early ages and the depiction of Muslims as ‘esoteric’ or ‘otherworldly.’ I highlight ‘Khartoum’ & ‘Laurence of Arabia’.
2nd part delves into how the portrayal of Muslims changed into the 70s and 80s. I touch on the U.S. military and research on historical representation of minorities.
3rd part delves into Post-9/11 depictions of Muslims and answering whether these films are just ‘harmless popcorn entertainment’ or critical for prejudiced attitudes?
4th part covers the out-group bias and the necessity for an audience to root against ‘bad guys.’ I use Russian villains to highlight the need for broader representation, regardless of identity.
5th part covers the ‘age of diversity’ and how Hollywood has historically been anti-religious. I use clips from ‘Ramy’ & ‘Reluctant Fundamentalist’ to demonstrate the social and existential elements of Islam.
6th part covers my favorite depictions of faith & spirituality such as in ‘Malcolm X’ and ‘Life of Pi’. I use these examples to speak more broadly on the role of religion to aid protagonists in their ‘Hero’s Journey.’
7th part covers my favorite depictions of Islam/Muslims such as in ‘The Message’ & ‘Prince of Egypt’. I also speak on the impact of social media on the genocide of Uyghur Muslims.
8th and final part covers my favorite modern representations of Muslims/Islam in ‘Lost’, ‘The Night of’ & ‘A Prophet’. I speak on how these portrayals capture the nuances of faith, without being condemning or proselytizing.