Muslim Misrepresentation in Film |
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- Опубликовано: 9 июн 2021
- A new study MISSING & MALIGNED: THE REALITY OF MUSLIMS IN POPULAR GLOBAL MOVIES from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative funded by the Ford Foundation reveals erasure and demeaning portrayals of Muslim characters across 200 top films. See more below.
Pillars Fund announces the launch of The Blueprint for Muslim Inclusion and the Pillars Artist Fellowship in response to study findings.
Learn more about Study, Muslim Visibility Challenge and Pillars Artist Fellowship at: pillarsfund.org/muslims-in-film 
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![Riz Ahmed - Channel4 Diversity Speech 2017 @ House of Commons [subtitled/legendado]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/36bcxDVNr1s/mqdefault.jpg)
"Exceptions don't change the rules. Exceptions if anything, highlight the rules!" Well said brother, the lack of representation and misrepresentation of Muslims in film is an issue that needs highlighting and fixing. Amazing initiative.
"Exceptions don't break the rules, exceptions highlight the rules". Such a perfect observation.
‘People don’t wake up hating Muslims, they believe a story’ 👏🏽👏🏽 There is a huge responsibility in storytelling. Thanks Riz, look forward to watching the rest
The fact that Muslim are standing up and rising up now makes me believe that we have a good future with less negativity towards us
This was so good Riz. You should open the comment section. Have faith.
This is so powerful. Thank you for posting this. As a 21 year old muslim in Texas entering the film business, I’m so glad people like you raise their voices.
Riz I totally agree!!! Listening to your interview with Louis Theroux (who I love) I felt a pang when he asked if you were a practicing Muslim. Because this is something I've been asked so many times! 'why do you take Eid off when you drink etc?' I always sigh and respond 'so you go to Church every Sunday and celebrate Christmas?' I've lived in England since I was six! Yet I am always profiled. Even when I was pregnant in 2020 walking to the corner shop already nervous in a pandemic. I got stopped and asked if I was listening to' one of those muslim prayers. ' and that it made him uncomfortable seeing' people like me ' walking with headphones. It needs to change!!!!! I am Nina, a foodie, a Mum, a sister, a daughter. There's so much to me as well as being Muslim!!!!
I recommend the documentary "Reel Bad Arabs" (I saw it on RUclips so it may still be here) for more perspective on what he's talking about. It shows how normalized these stereotypical portrayals of Muslims/Arabs/Middle Eastern people etc. have been throughout the history of film.
"Progress is not linear and not inevitable" Thank you for highlighting this issue of misrepresentation of Muslims so articulately Riz
"Inside each of us is all of us"
Beautifully said Riz.
I think sometimes we take for granted how films greatly influemce and/or shape the way we think about individuals that belong to certain groups, whether that group be defined by religion, skin color, sexual orientation or ethnicity.
And for Muslim representation most of the films I've seen (and I've seen a lot) have them playing the hijacker, the criminal, jihadists, murderers (although there are exceptions like the Hulu show Ramy which I adore ) leaving viewers that have never come in contact with anything different thinking that this is all Muslims are and that is all they do.
Representation in media and film is impactful and resonates throughout time and there's a whole gamit of Middle Eastern stories left untold because Hollywood continues to perpetuate harmful stereotypes in turn oiling the wheels of Islamophobia in our society. I hope this helps, I hope things start to change. I hope better, more humane stories are portrayed on film.
Its so upsetting and disappointing when such things have to be talked about, like this is not normal can the public not see?! Very insightful Riz bhaijaan!
I'm Chinese and I know that our culture has done horrific things to keep our native Hui Muslims and the Turkic Uyghur Muslim population suppressed, and one of those things is painting all the Uyghurs as terrorists, which eventually led to the government being able to try to take away their traditions, force them to abandon their culture, bulldoze the tombs of their ancestors, shunt them away into camps where they work, they suffer, and they die. While I don't think the Western nations will do this, I think that this idea that this kind of misinformation could be used against Muslims or any other group is terrible.
I'm not a Muslim and I don't agree with certain practices of Islam, just like I don't agree with everything any one group does, but I think that positive portrayal, and more importantly, just portraying Muslims as people, is extremely important just like for any other group. I sincerely hope that the organization that you and others have created takes off, and that you and others can defeat the rise of stereotyping in Western and Chinese media, so that the Muslims there, be they immigrant or native, can live in peace.
I fucking love you so much.
I'm only 18 but I've loved films/filmmaking ever since I was a kid. My father used to collected movies and I would watch them with him and when he passed away, that was the only thing I had to remember him by. I've always wanted to work in film whether that be an actor or a filmmaker, I knew I wanted to pursue it. But something always nabbed the back of my head and it was making me worried if I could actually achieve this dream and that was the negative portrayal of Muslims in the industry.
I'm a Muslim myself and a proud one but I always worried that if I did acting as a career, I didn't want to play parts of a terrorist all the time, I wanted to play the lead in amazing mind-blowing iconic films. I never thought anyone would speak out about this issue in Hollywood but I am sitting here on the verge of tears thanking you for this. You speaking out shows that you truly care about the representation of Muslims and what we can do to fix that stereotype.
I hope one day I get to work with you on a film so I can thank you in person for making me and many others feel welcomed and accepted in film.
Amazing, i never realized how much our culture and media does this
Thanks Riz. You are my favorite actor. You are the only Muslim actor who has been speaking out against the misrepresentation of Muslims in Hollywood. May Allah bless you.
Your words touched my heart.
Can’t remember the last time I commented on RUclips but this deserves applause.
You speak so eloquently about these issues Riz. Representation especially in art is so important- to break through stereotypes and be seen as just as 'human' to others in society and also in not feeling Iike an alien ourselves. In embracing our diversity and understanding that this only enriches our culture and society and makes us grow. Congratulations on your Oscar! Best wishes from Pakistan and Brooklyn!
Man i believe that you will succeed in your goal.
Wonderfully spoken Riz. Is there anyway to see the rest of the zoom meeting with the people from USC and Pillars Fund talking?
thank you for sharing this Riz, this is such an important topic for me and so many other young Muslims who are constantly misrepresented and dehumanised in the media. representation matters so so much, and i hope that depictions of Muslims will better and diversify in the future, with all of our help 🙏🏽
Would love to see you on a 5 Pillars podcast bro. Please keep up the good work.
You represent powerfully. Interesting to hear your personal perspective on what that means.
Also, I cannot get #MuslimsInFilm to bring up any results, is it blocked?
When I feel like there needs to be someone speaking about all these issues I find you standing up and doing that! So proud of you.
About time. More power to you my dude.
Glad that you spoke up on such a topic which really needs to be noticed, using ur place and platform very well.
i did a thesis on this in my A levels, you’re doing great riz.
You speak so eloquently and are an inspiration. Thank you.
Riz - what happened at the end, is there a second part to the video?
Thankyou for this Riz. It was much needed.
I think many people experience whatever you are saying but good think is that you have a platform and at least you have courage to say this. Honestly, good job for long time I have been thinking this way too but you underlined it. Thlanks
Thank you, Riz. Have a blessed day!
As a Muslim actor for nearly a decade, I got offered many terrorist roles. I took some, I turned some down. By the end of it, I had an audition for yet another one-dimensional terrorist role. And "I thought to myself, _"is this why I decided to become an actor? To play a problematic stereotype on TV?"_ I then asked myself, _"would I ever watch this myself?"_ and _"do I feel proud that my family would see me playing this on TV?"_ The answer was no, I wouldn't watch it and I wouldn't be proud of it. That was a turning point for me. I decided to shift gears and become a filmmaker. If you want to change things, you have to think differently, and take control of the narrative. I'm hoping to make the stories I want to see. Thanks Riz Ahmed for your work breaking through this industry and bringing up this seldom highlighted issue in our media and culture.
Amazing. Feels like real change is in the horizon.
Where the video for the USC part?
Where’s the second part of this video?
It is your voice, that is heard over anyone else.
Your Integrity to speak the Truth is needed. Thank you for what you state & your Actions.
On point and thank you for addressing this🧡 !!
Thank you so much for doing this Riz and team. Much Love.
As always, eloquent and succinct. Keep working and stay blessed man.
How can I join??
YES!!! This is soooo needed!!
Thank you for doing this - voices like yours are desperately needed
"Exceptions don’t change the rules" so true
Bro how do we help?
"Inside each of us is all of us" ....Deep!
You are an inspiration bruv. As a writer, I gotta step up.
Salute to Riz on my birthday month I'm proud to be born in June I'm an Gemini & Salute to the June birthdays as well
This is my feeling all the times, applauding your efforts
Where’s the rest of the video mate?
Thanks Riz great initiative you did not finish the video on what we need to do
I'm 22 now... And i felt this way since i was kid. Thank you for talking about it Riz. It gets to you when you are bashed for every part of your personality. Whether it's muslim or asian or brown or lgbt or non binary ...
Great and I want to support you but where us tram USC or what ever it is?
Thank you for speaking on this important matter! This has been a problem for a long time, and it's something that will require time, commitment and patience to fix the representation problem's us Muslims and Asians/Middle Eastern folks face in the Film/Media Industry. As an aspiring filmmaker from New York, who's family is from Pakistan, I'll take part in pushing the needle forward to fix this issue. Thanks for taking the initiative and hope that it goes a long way 🙏
Be earnest and pure in your intention and the whole world gonna come with you and listen to your story...
May Allah give more power to you brother.
It is so Heartbreaking when your favorite movie series misrepresents your religion
I hope this movement brings forward the real truth of our religion, that is Peace ❣️
First off - thanks for doing this and being honest. It needs to be a collective, conscious effort to create gradual, sustainable change. What you’re doing with this initiative is a great start. But it obviously isn’t just all on you. I think one of the issues that’s problematic in the Muslim community is that as immigrants or children of immigrants, we are socialized to keep our heads down and be quiet - to just appreciate living in the West and the opportunities. But now it’s encouraging to see the ripple effect of more and more people speaking up and letting their authentic selves be seen. As Hasan Minhaj said - we have the “audacity for equality.” It’s a long road ahead. But I’m glad people are now at least aware of the road and have begun to take small steps towards it.
As for your performances, while I understand people are just happy to see representation when they call you the first Muslim actor to be nominated in that category for an Oscar - I hope that we can get to a space where you among other artists are appreciated first for being the good artists that you are - not Muslim artists, not Pakistani artists, etc.
Keep doing you my brother, you are the voice of the voiceless. More power to you Young King
I am from india.....
Almost in all Indian flims Muslims are shown as vilan... and bad character.....
Then this negativity remains in the mind and creates bad atmosphere for Muslims......
Please do something
I feel you bro. We muslims don't even care for any progress, we are not even playing this game. We are stuck in time.
Keep giving Muslims these sparks.
Thanks for this video.
Thanks for raising your voice Riz. Mad respect 🙏🏼
Thanks Riz this is such an important topic for today. I resent how muslims are portrayed in the movies and general television.
Where are all the comments?
Great speech! I'm a film editor, you have my full support!
As always.. straight to the point. 🙏
Gr8 message man👍hope this unequality in cinema and the modern world gets resolved better post Covid.
Thank you so much for this Riz!!
Our boy has featured in a marvel movie and a star wars movie. Also an Oscar nominee.
❤️
Salam. I am glad you talk about the real issue and trying to fix it....
I've noticed new movies and tv shows all have black, east asian (sometimes south asian too) and latino representation but there is no Arab or Muslim representation in anything I've seen really. Christians are also portrayed in a mocking manner but can be argued there are examples of positive representation. Only thing that comes to mind is the hijabi student in Spiderman movies. Last season of Prison break had a nice scene or two on Islam due to C-note converting. Other than that, I haven't really seen anything. But then you think who makes movies, tv shows and you can then see why Muslims are not portrayed favourably.......
Such an important point. There are so many concious and unconcious biases.
The narrative moves the people, the people move the narrative. The exceptions bump the narrative movement until the narrative changes. Keep up the good work.
i’m only 18 but my biggest dream is to become a Muslim director. everything you said is exactly why i want to become a director: so i can help change the perception of Muslims through means both on and off screen so how do i go about doing that at this stage?
You're 100% correct and this is an important message to put out there. You did however play an extreme version of a Muslim who was a terrorist... it's one of your most famous roles. That doesn't discredit this video or what you're trying to do, just kinda funny to think about when you're talking about demeaning portrayals of Muslim characters.
Riz, you’re an incredible!
MashaAllah You have taken a great step. May Allah make you successful Ameen
Thank u very much sir.this was really necessary . It takes courage honestly to speak like this
I support you. If you allow me, I want to add Turkish subtitles to this video and share in my channel.
I spent the past 2 years writing a novel on a Muslim protagonist trying to find his place in the West. Agents' standard reply is 'very good but doesn't suit our list!'
More Strength to you❤️. Keep sharing. Humanity is with you.
I’m so so so very glad that such talented amazing individuals like Riz Ahmed exist, who are able to use their platform to speak about people who literally have no voice at all and are at the mercy or however the media portrays them
Riz vc é muito engajado , parabéns . Grata! 🇧🇷
Thank you so much for making this video 🖤
i wasn't prepared for a thirteen minute video to change the way i think about the world
Very well said and long overdue!!!
Well said Brother 👏
On board! How can I help!
I agree that films that focus on Muslim stories or serious movies in which Muslims are represented should make an attempt to observe religious (and lets not forget cultural) nuances related to practice. however, after reading your blueprint, which is calling for special consideration of Muslims and Muslim over-site from top to bottom in the film industry, I do take issue with the plan. Who sets the standard of what is acceptable and what safegaurds have you put in place to make sure that artistic integrity is concerned? Are negative portrayals of muslims allowed; for instance if I wanted to do a movie on the murder of Aqsa Parvez, would this be seen as a negative portrayal?
You are bang on the buck with the media misrepresntation. However, the onus is also on the Muslim community to reach out to the wider community instead of living in a bubble. Been following you since your work in The Reluctant Fundamentalist and up to the Oscars. What an inspiring journey!
Thank you for all the work you do Riz, you’ve been talking about ‘Post-9/11 Blues’ for a long time and it shows
Thanks for speaking up on this Riz! I'm excited about this program, can't wait to hear more and apply for it!!
Somebody needed to speak up, glad it was you 👏🏼🤍
You're the greatest , Riz!😢👏👏👏
Thank you for doing this Riz. Its helping all of us dream bigger.
well said and keep going! ✊🏼
Excellent talk. Can't imagine anyone more to speak on the topic.
Brilliant analysis.
amazing discussion and well said Riz!
Glad you bought this up Riz👍🏻
Really, not one comment after 1K views at the time of this writing? Let me be the first then. What Riz is doing is absolutely understandable, and I commend his actions by furthering a cause that is not purely for muslim identify but one that is against all forms of marginalization of any community/faith/etc.
Non Muslim here....you done a great job in film & tv Riz , keep up your talents