Identities and the Media: Post-colonialism & Orientalism

1) Watch the opening of Yasmin (2004) again. Does it offer a positive or negative view of British Muslims? To what extent does it reinforce or challenge Edward Said's theory of Orientalism - that the west is superior to the exotic or uncivilised east?

The opening of 'Yasmin' can be shown to challenge Said's theory of 'orientalism' as the protagonist Yasmin is portrayed subverting the stereotypical submissive representation of Muslim women which are perceived as submissive and quiet, which Yasmin is not portrayed as. Yasmin is first seen by the audience taking off her traditional Muslim clothing and conforming to the societal norms by dressing in casual clothing and being apart of society through her job highlighting the ability for the western and eastern cultures to be parallel to one another. 
Also, the opening presents a sense of detachment and isolation with the Muslim community from the rest of society, creating a negative view of British Muslims, the isolated shots with just the Muslim community and the dull, muted environment highlights detachment. Reinforcing, Said's theory as the audience are thrown into the difference between the western culture and the eastern culture (portrayed through portrayals of the mosque, call for prayer and traditional/ cultural clothing).
The environment of shots is shown to have an impoverished images done through the settings connecting to Alvarado's theory ideas of pitied, as the audience is left feeling sorry for those living in the setting. Said's theory of orientalism is reinforced as the flawed setting compared to the socially functioning environment suggests the west is superior.

2) Summarise the three theorists we have looked at this week: Alvarado, Fanon and Said.

Alvarado: Used on the racial representations of black people to decode how they can be represented, where the text should come under 4 racial representations: Pitied, Humorous, Exotic and Dangerous. 

Fanon: Stated that the 4 stereotype themes; infantilize, primitive, decivilize and essentialize,  based on the racial representations of specifically black people as derogatory to the black person.

Said: Theory of 'orientalism ' focuses on the racial representation and stereotypes in the middle east, where the west constructed a generalisation of certain characteristics  led to division of difference between east and west 

3) Finally, choose ONE clip for EACH of the theorists and explain how you could apply that theory to the clip. 

ALVARADO

DANGEROUS: This scene from the movie 'Juice' reinforces Alvarado's theory of the 'dangerous' and the 'pitied'. As the movie shows teens trying to beat each other up in an impoverished setting in the shot, also suggests they are loitering and involved in anti-social behaviour.

HUMOROUS: In the 1970’s race was a major vehicle for comedy. Programs removed the threat of black people by making them the butt of the jokes. Some movies with a black American man tend to make particular jokes against his race or ethnicity.  By doing this creates a humorous affect for the audience and makes a comedic atmosphere.

PITIED: Adverts and documentaries raise awareness for African people and young children who are in need of water and food in order to survive. An atmosphere of sadness is also made by audience/viewers identifying the lack of basic necessities some children have compared to themselves. By doing this not only is it presenting real problems in the world but also creating an atmosphere of pity within the audience which in turn persuades members to pay and portray beneficial methods so they can help these young children in need. 

FANON: 

The image of Latin people are portrayed as different to people of a western society. The children playing and the traditional music maybe used to distance the audience and feel as though they are the 'other', reinforcing the theory  'decivilised' also the dysfunctional setting of the scene may be portrayed as 'primitive' because of their loud nature of it

SAID

ORIENTALISM:  This scene highlights the theory as the eastern charterers are portrayed as submissive and subordinate compared to the dominant western character. The superiority of west over the east is highlighted through the actors facial expressions as they are surprised of the house suggesting they have never been in something like.