Orientalism

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?

Within the beginning of Yasmin consists of both positive and negative stereotypes. For instance, the positive comes from a young man who doesn’t speak English praying, this suggests he is carrying out traditional Islamic values which is a positive. Furthermore, also within the beginning the old man who is also a Muslim is seen to be washing off graffiti on a shutter does not have a violent response as he is helping the community. The negative issue comes from the primary protagonist Yasmin who is going in opposition to her personal lifestyle. within the clip, Yasmin undresses herself out of her hijab and cultural clothing into tight trousers and a top This indicates Yasmin is hiding her tradition which caused audiences to think “does she do this to get away from her uncivilised culture?”.

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

Alvarado’s theory consists of four different racial representations which are exotic, dangerous, humorous and pitied.

Fanon’s is the theorist that discusses black stereotypes those being infantilise, primitivise, decivilise and essentialise.

Said’s theory is all about the civilised and uncivilised, us and them, it’s all about Orientalism the west is more superior to the exotic/dangerous east.

Finally, choose ONE clip for EACH of the theorists and explain how you could apply that theory to the clip. Pick your clips from YouTube but feel free to use TV, film, music video or advertising - whatever you think is most powerful and relevant. Embed the clips in your blog before writing your analysis under each clip.

Anuvahood 2011 ‧ Drama/Comedy 

Alvarado - the key theme in Anuvahood is humour, a few of the main characters are black suggesting that they can only be seen as comedy, same for the Indian character.

Fanon-  Some black characters in the film are uncivilised such as the antagonist character, however the group of friends are very civilised as they even take in a forgeiner and teach the ways of the 'endz'.


Said- theis theory of us and them doesnt play a racial factor in this film except for humours purposes, when the main character mocks the shop keeper who is from a south eastern country.

Qiaobi (俏比)

Alvarado - this theory could shown black people to be exotic as he seen to be a sex symbol, however when he comes out as a china man it could be argued in asian culture the real sex symbol for them is the cinese men.

Fanon-  in this racist advert the black character is seen as being a normal man who is attracted to this female, which is a normal civilised thing to do . The female character can be infered as uncivilised due to the fact she physically forced the man in the machine and turned his chinese.

Said- This clip is evidence that some chinses culture have a similar approach to us and them. This connotes that outsiders are bad and thieir own are better which is why she was more attracted to the man after his skin colour was washed away.


Mind Your Language  British sitcom

Alvarado -  the key theme in Mind Your Language is humour, a few of the main characters are asian suggesting that they can only be seen as co medymentertainment, same for the european characters.

Fanon- this theory doesnt really come into play with this TV show as it doesnt usually critise or mock black minorities.

Said- This show also doesnt really show the forgeiners as farmful and uncivilised, it only mocks their cultures.