Whenever I read about a movie or a book portraying Arabs negatively, I wait for some proper responses from our side. By proper responses, I mean intelligent and logical ones in the same medium. Answer with a book or a movie making the point about what is right and what is not. Blanket condemnation and complaints about stereotyping are the least effective of all responses.
To write articles analyzing the negative points and replying in a civilized way is always a winning solution but it is not, and should not be, the only thing done. A movie is widely watched and more effective than an article and it will be discussed longer than an article. I always wonder why we do not believe in the power of art in delivering messages.
In the Arab world, we have good cinematic artists — in Egypt, Morocco, Syria and other countries — and we also have great writers. Why have we Arabs never produced movies that reflect our point of view? In Iran there is a cinema industry which gives people everywhere an idea of what Iranian society is; normally Iranian films are welcomed and become popular in Europe, the US and all over the world. The Palestinian film “A Divine Hand” had a great impact at the Cannes Festival a few years ago; it presented a side of the Palestinian problem that few people ever see.
Moroccans, Tunisians and Algerians are also doing their best to make use of cinema and film. That leaves us here in the Kingdom, complaining all the time of being stereotyped as terrorists and barbarians. What do we do to change that idea? Dare I say — nothing.
It would be very easy to do something if we had the will and mentality to believe in the power of art to deliver the desired image. Why has nobody thought of producing a film about Arab culture and history, the old as well as the new? People who have the money to do such things tend to choose investments with a bigger chance of return than a film; after all, a shopping center is virtually guaranteed to make money and profit for its owners. I remember a few years ago when the Syrian director Mustapha Al-Akad produced his masterpiece “The Message” which dealt with the life of the Prophet (pbuh). We were very happy that it was well received everywhere; it was made with professionals from all over the Arab world. The actors were from Syria, Egypt, Iraq and others and the production team was equally diverse. The result was an excellent film that is still talked about and remembered.
But when the same director wanted to make another film with a much bigger budget, no one in the Arab world was willing to take a chance. It might have been a fine investment and it would surely have been in our interest. For lack of funds, the film was never made. And here we sit, complaining that the West misrepresents us in films, books and on TV. Who is to blame? The answer is so clear that it hurts.
