Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People

TLDR

Live images on screen perpetuate stereotypes and clichés. The article surveys over a century of Hollywood’s negative portrayals of Arabs and Muslims. It compares the hook‑nosed Arab stereotype with similar depictions of Jews in Nazi propaganda. Analysis of more than 900 films shows that audiences are led to equate Arabs with Muslims, portray Arabs as heartless, brutal, uncivilized, and religious fanatics, and that only about five percent of roles depict normal human characters.

Abstract

Live images on big screen and television go beyond a thousand words in perpetuating stereotypes and clichés. This article surveys more than a century of Hollywood's projection of negative images of the Arabs and Muslims. Based on the study of more than 900 films, it shows how moviegoers are led to believe that all Arabs are Muslims and all Muslims are Arabs. The moviemakers' distorted lenses have shown Arabs as heartless, brutal, uncivilized, religious fanatics through common depictions of Arabs kidnapping or raping a fair maiden; expressing hatred against the Jews and Christians; and demonstrating a love for wealth and power. The article compares the stereotype of the hook-nosed Arab with a similar depiction of Jews in Nazi propaganda materials. Only five percent of Arab film roles depict normal, human characters.