22054 BADC5B
of religion in visual narratives
distortion
What?
Visual narrative is a story told primary through the use of visual media. In analysing the discourse of Islam representation, this research focus on two primary areas that emcompasses representation: visually verbally.
Why?
Perpetual negative portrayals of Islam in both movies and television has led to a misunderstanding of Islam and its beliefs, and has paved the way for Islamophobia. More than ever, there is a dire need to analyse the messages conveyed about Islam on the global stage.
How?
Through analysing visual and verbal tropes used in these narratives, I aim to dissect why these contributes to the detriment of Islam and where these tropes are misaligned from the actual teachings and beliefs of the religion, and by extension this will aid in understanding why it is an inherent problem.
In analysing how the distortion of religions in film shape cultural ideas and behaviours, an area of research that requires analysing is in how Islam is represented in films. The three archetypes found in Islam representation in films can made into 3 main categories:
The Dominant, The Sympathetic and The Secular.
Visual
Representation
1991-2001
Dominant portrayals saw Islam as a violent, two-dimensional religion no justification behind their brutality besides fundamental Islamic beliefs.
True Lies (1994)
2007-Present
Sympathetic portrayals saw innocent Islamic men who are hesitant in committing acts of violence, but are seduced by religious beliefs. This 'humanised' them.
2001-2007
Rendition (2007)
A new trend that is rising is the portrayal of a more secular representation of Islam - diverse and liberal in their views and practices.
2018-Present
Why Are You Like This (2018)
This section discusses the terminologies and words that are used to describe Islam in movies and television shows. Much of these terminologies are used with negative connotations when paired with the kind of imagery it is presented with.
الجهاد
terrorist
you can cover your head but i can't show my skin?
"hang around with isis"
he's probably got a bomb stuck to his body
crimson jihad
Portrayal of Religion
Driving theories
Portrayals of
Religion
Islamophobia
Media Affects
This framework studies the tools used to convey misaligned messages about religion: mediums such as imagery and verbal language portrayed on films that become cultural ideas that latch these visual tropes to religions.
Islamophobia
An exaggerated fear, hatred, and hostility toward Islam and Muslims that is perpetuated by negative stereotypes resulting in bias, discrimination, and the marginalization and exclusion of Muslims from social, political, and civic life.
Media Affects
Many theorist has suggested the ramifications and affects media has on our perceptions of the world. One such theory is the 'Cultivation Theory' coined by George Gerbner who theorised that long-term exposure to media shapes how the consumers of media perceive the world and conduct themselves."