wfn.org | ?Reel Bad Arabs? Screening with Dr. Jack Shaheen, March 26 2009

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

"Reel Bad Arabs" Screening with Dr. Jack Shaheen, March 26  2009

WACC North America is pleased to present a free screening of 
"Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies A People", a groundbreaking 
documentary, featuring acclaimed author Dr. Jack Shaheen.

The Screening will be held on Thursday, March 26 at 07:30 PM at the 
Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A question and 
answer period will follow with the author and internationally 
acclaimed media critic, Dr. Shaheen.
The documentary, dissects a slanderous aspect of cinematic history 
that has run virtually unchallenged from the earliest days of silent 
film to today's biggest Hollywood blockbusters. It explores a long 
line of degrading images of Arabs--from Bedouin bandits and 
submissive maidens to sinister sheikhs and gun-wielding 
"terrorists"--along the way offering devastating insights into the 
origin of these stereotypic images, their development at key points 
in US history, and why they matter so much today.

Dr. Shaheen shows how the persistence of these images over time has 
served to naturalize prejudicial attitudes toward Arabs and Arab 
culture, in the process reinforcing a narrow view of individual Arabs 
and the effects of specific US domestic and international policies on 
their lives. By inspiring critical thinking about the social, 
political, and basic human consequences of leaving these Hollywood 
caricatures unexamined, the film challenges viewers to recognize the 
urgent need for counter-narratives that do justice to the diversity 
and humanity of Arab people and the reality and richness of Arab 
history and culture.

The documentary was highly acclaimed after its screening during 
WACC's Congress 2008 held in Cape Town, South Africa last October.

> For more information contact: Sheila George

Also click here for details about the screening

Click here to read more about Dr. Jack Shaheen

> To see the documentary trailer click here

WACC promotes communication for social change. It believes that 
communication is a basic human right that defines people's common 
humanity, strengthens cultures, enables participation, creates 
community and challenges tyranny and oppression.

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(number 2082273) with its Registered Office at 71 Lambeth Walk, 
London SE11 6DX. It is an incorporated Charitable Organisation in 
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Street, Toronto ON, M4C 4X7.