If you’re looking for stereotypes and injustice on screen, you’ll find it no matter how little evidence there is to back your case up.
Take “Traitor,” the new film following a devout Muslim-American (Don Cheadle) who becomes a terrorist. Cheadle’s part, while not engaging enough for my tastes, is as layered as any such role can be.
He’s smart, caring and loyal to his friends. Even Cheadle’s on-screen partner, a fellow terrorist, is depicted as equally smart and cultured. The guy plays chess, for cryin’ out loud.
The terrorists’ leader likes fine wine and dresses like a western diplomat.
That wasn’t enough for Washington Post film critic Philip Kennicott.
He complains that the film still traffics in Muslim stereotypes. His real howler is when he implies terrorism shouldn’t be the subject of films because it inspires fear mongering.
Terrorism is a dubious subject for entertainment. The excesses of fear it inspires are corrosive to society. The prejudices that underlie those fears are not neutralized by hiring Don Cheadle. The things that are inherently exciting in a film about terrorism — violence, torture and the ticking clock that portends doom — are the very sort of things that short-circuit our ability to think rationally about the threats we face.
Wonder if Kennicott thinks making wildly inaccurate films about presidential leaders might cause similar fear mongering? I doubt it.
UPDATE: The Washington Times’ Sonny Bunch shares his thoughts, and those of “Traitor’s” director, in his latest essay.
(Photo: Guy Pearce and Don Cheadle struggle for a gun in “Traitor,” a new movie dealing with Islamic terrorists)
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
We always pick on certain people, race or religion to be bad in the films at the same time can’t pick on others. I don’t see any problem with this type of film making. If you have money and connections in Hollywood then why not stereotype.
I respectfully disagree here, Saint. Stereotypes can be a negative societal influence, and for a movie lover they offer drab, predictable characterizations. But seeing stereotypes everywhere doesn’t help matters.