Alvarado- 'Four representations of black people'. The four representations include: dangerous, exotic, pitied and humorous.
Fanon- 'Putting on the white mask'. Fanon said that non-white people try to fit into society and disguise themselves by 'putting on the white mask', through their actions and behaviour.
Said- 'East vs West'. Said's theory of Orientalism discusses the eastern and western society and believes the eastern society is uncivilized whilst the western society is civilized.
2) Watch the opening of Yasmin (2004) again. Does it offer a positive or negative view of British Muslims? To what extent does it reinforce or challenge Edward Said's theory of Orientalism - that the west is superior to the exotic or uncivilised east?
The opening sequence of Yasmin offers both a positive and negative view of British Muslims. On one hand, the clip opens with two male characters who are praying, showing their commitment to their religion, belief and values. Moreover, the clip shows a young boy who is studying his religion, which again reinforces the same portrayal and values. This creates a positive representation of British Muslims as it shows that even if they are lviing in Britain, they are still faithfyl to their religion. This is not only made obvious through their actions but also the fact that they are dressed in traditional attire. This reinforces Said's theory of Orientalism as the east is seen as civilized.
On the other hand, it could be argued that Yasmin does not offer a positive representation of British Muslims. The representation of the main female character (Yasmin) can be seen as uncivilized as she is shown to live a double life. She leaves the house dressed in traditional clothes and then changes once she has left the house into jeans and a top. This could be seen as Yasmin 'putting on a white mask' as Fanon once said in order to fit in with other British citizens. Yasmin also takes off her wedding ring when going to work which can be seen as rebellious and she works with a white male who she is shown to be quite friendly with. Although Yasmin is presented as rebellious, her job that she does is helping and working with disabled children, therefore she is doing something positive by helping the local community and those who cannot help themselves.
Another way in which characters in Yasmin are shown to be 'putting on the white mask' is because the young boy has nike trainers which were on trend at the time the film was released. This shows that perhaps the boy is trying to fit in with British society and possibly other children his age.
In addition, the representation of Yasmin's husband is portrayed as uncivilized as he is shown to scoop his finger into the peanut butter jar, eat it and then repeat the same process. A civilized value would be to use a spoon and not to re-dip it back into the jar once you have put it in your mouth. Moreover, when he is making tea outside, a young boy is standing near him and watching him and he rudely tells him to go away.
Also, in the clip one of the male characters are shown to be scrubbing off graffiti on a wall which says 'paki go home'. Although the message shows that British is uncivilized, the Muslim character is shown to be cleaning it without complaining or being angry therefore he has the opposite representation.
Overall, I believe Yasmin reinforces Said's theory of Orientalism to a certain extent that the west is superior to the uncivilized east as only some characters are presented to be uncivilized, whilst others mind their own business.
3) Finally, choose THREE clips for EACH of the theorists and explain how you could apply that theory to the clip. Pick a selection of clips on YouTube from TV, film, music video or advertising and embed them in your blog before writing your analysis under each clip.
Alvarado-
This clip of Kevin Heart fits into Alvarado's 'humorous' category. Kevin Heart is a well known comedian and this clip shows him pretending to be a police officer and he tapes and area stating that it is a crime scene. This is comedic as there is a gentleman standing in the middle of the taped area who is a jaywalker, however Kevin insists he pays a fine and even tells his fellow officer to arrest him. We as the audience know this is comedy, however the man who is jaywalking does not know. His reaction is therefore funny to watch and towards the end of the clip he starts being comedic too as he realises there are cameras around and this is a prank.
Beyonce's Partition video fits in with Alvarado's 'exotic' category. Beyonce is a massive music icon and is a successful woman. The reason why this video in particular is seen as exotic is due to her costumes and dance moves. Her clothing in the video is small and tight and therefore she is seen as sexy. Moreover, her and her female background dancers and dancing with poles which is quite seductive.
This clip is taken from the last scene of the film Kidulthood. It fits in with the 'dangerous' category as the two males are fighting. One of the characters is shown to be kicking the other one on the floor and drags him with a bat around his neck. The main character Sam then beats up the boys friends who try to save him and even his girlfriend. This shows Sam to be very dangerous as he ends up killing the boy with a bat.
Fanon-
12 Years a Slave represents the western society as dominant and powerful as they have control of the black slaves. However, the slaves are presented as civilized as they do what they are told by the white people. The western society is also represented as very uncivilized as they treat the black slaves unfairly and hit them whenever they wish. Although this agrees with Said's theory of Orientalism that the west are superior, it goes against the east being uncivilized in this trailer.
Citizen Khan is a comedic programme which shows the events of a British Muslim family living in the UK. This clip in particular starts with the Muslim men praying and therefore sticking to their religious values and beliefs. Although, the main character Mr. Khan falls asleep, the rest of the characters still take it seriously. The episode is about fasting which is a religious belief in their culture, therefore it shows the eastern society embodying their religion. Moreover, Mr. Khan (although humorous) is always going to the Mosque and believes in being faithful to his culture and religion. This goes against Said's theory as it shows the eastern society being civilized.
Django Unchained shows the break free of a black slave when a white man finds him to take him on a mission. The clip reinforces Said's theory as the eastern society (main character) is shown as being uncivilized as he kills people. Moreover, the white man who rescues Django has authority and power. On the other hand, the theory of Orientalism is subverted as Django starts to have control later on in the film and even shoots a white man, therefore the eastern society gains some control.
2) Watch the opening of Yasmin (2004) again. Does it offer a positive or negative view of British Muslims? To what extent does it reinforce or challenge Edward Said's theory of Orientalism - that the west is superior to the exotic or uncivilised east?
The opening sequence of Yasmin offers both a positive and negative view of British Muslims. On one hand, the clip opens with two male characters who are praying, showing their commitment to their religion, belief and values. Moreover, the clip shows a young boy who is studying his religion, which again reinforces the same portrayal and values. This creates a positive representation of British Muslims as it shows that even if they are lviing in Britain, they are still faithfyl to their religion. This is not only made obvious through their actions but also the fact that they are dressed in traditional attire. This reinforces Said's theory of Orientalism as the east is seen as civilized.
On the other hand, it could be argued that Yasmin does not offer a positive representation of British Muslims. The representation of the main female character (Yasmin) can be seen as uncivilized as she is shown to live a double life. She leaves the house dressed in traditional clothes and then changes once she has left the house into jeans and a top. This could be seen as Yasmin 'putting on a white mask' as Fanon once said in order to fit in with other British citizens. Yasmin also takes off her wedding ring when going to work which can be seen as rebellious and she works with a white male who she is shown to be quite friendly with. Although Yasmin is presented as rebellious, her job that she does is helping and working with disabled children, therefore she is doing something positive by helping the local community and those who cannot help themselves.
Another way in which characters in Yasmin are shown to be 'putting on the white mask' is because the young boy has nike trainers which were on trend at the time the film was released. This shows that perhaps the boy is trying to fit in with British society and possibly other children his age.
In addition, the representation of Yasmin's husband is portrayed as uncivilized as he is shown to scoop his finger into the peanut butter jar, eat it and then repeat the same process. A civilized value would be to use a spoon and not to re-dip it back into the jar once you have put it in your mouth. Moreover, when he is making tea outside, a young boy is standing near him and watching him and he rudely tells him to go away.
Also, in the clip one of the male characters are shown to be scrubbing off graffiti on a wall which says 'paki go home'. Although the message shows that British is uncivilized, the Muslim character is shown to be cleaning it without complaining or being angry therefore he has the opposite representation.
Overall, I believe Yasmin reinforces Said's theory of Orientalism to a certain extent that the west is superior to the uncivilized east as only some characters are presented to be uncivilized, whilst others mind their own business.
3) Finally, choose THREE clips for EACH of the theorists and explain how you could apply that theory to the clip. Pick a selection of clips on YouTube from TV, film, music video or advertising and embed them in your blog before writing your analysis under each clip.
Alvarado-
This clip of Kevin Heart fits into Alvarado's 'humorous' category. Kevin Heart is a well known comedian and this clip shows him pretending to be a police officer and he tapes and area stating that it is a crime scene. This is comedic as there is a gentleman standing in the middle of the taped area who is a jaywalker, however Kevin insists he pays a fine and even tells his fellow officer to arrest him. We as the audience know this is comedy, however the man who is jaywalking does not know. His reaction is therefore funny to watch and towards the end of the clip he starts being comedic too as he realises there are cameras around and this is a prank.
Beyonce's Partition video fits in with Alvarado's 'exotic' category. Beyonce is a massive music icon and is a successful woman. The reason why this video in particular is seen as exotic is due to her costumes and dance moves. Her clothing in the video is small and tight and therefore she is seen as sexy. Moreover, her and her female background dancers and dancing with poles which is quite seductive.
This clip is taken from the last scene of the film Kidulthood. It fits in with the 'dangerous' category as the two males are fighting. One of the characters is shown to be kicking the other one on the floor and drags him with a bat around his neck. The main character Sam then beats up the boys friends who try to save him and even his girlfriend. This shows Sam to be very dangerous as he ends up killing the boy with a bat.
Fanon-
This clip from Bend it like Beckham shows Jess 'putting on the white mask' as she tries to fit into British society. Jess is from a strict Indian family who do not allow her to play football as she a girl, therefore is not allowed to take part in a 'masculine' sport. Jess however goes against her parents beliefs and leads a double life by playing football anyone on a women's team but lies to her family and says she is going to work. This clip in particular shows Jess with her friend shopping for football boots, she then goes home and gets in trouble by her parents and also is shown to almost kiss her friends white boyfriend. This clip represents Jess going against all of her family's values and inheriting British values instead.
The above clip is taken from Goodness Gracious Me, where they recreate Top Gear, however it is an Indian version. It is a comedic clip and fits in with Fanon's theory as they are seen as 'putting on a white mask' by taking a programme which is normally presented by two white males and doing the same thing but with Asian people instead. This can show them trying to fit in with the British society.
Said-
The above clip is taken from Goodness Gracious Me, where they recreate Top Gear, however it is an Indian version. It is a comedic clip and fits in with Fanon's theory as they are seen as 'putting on a white mask' by taking a programme which is normally presented by two white males and doing the same thing but with Asian people instead. This can show them trying to fit in with the British society.
The black president in 24 is presented as 'putting on a white mask' as he takes on a role which is typically seen as a white dominant role. The fact that he has so much power goes against the black stereotypes as they are not always seen to be successful. Moreover, in 24 there are several non-white workers who also work with the president and therefore have authority and power.
Said-
12 Years a Slave represents the western society as dominant and powerful as they have control of the black slaves. However, the slaves are presented as civilized as they do what they are told by the white people. The western society is also represented as very uncivilized as they treat the black slaves unfairly and hit them whenever they wish. Although this agrees with Said's theory of Orientalism that the west are superior, it goes against the east being uncivilized in this trailer.
Citizen Khan is a comedic programme which shows the events of a British Muslim family living in the UK. This clip in particular starts with the Muslim men praying and therefore sticking to their religious values and beliefs. Although, the main character Mr. Khan falls asleep, the rest of the characters still take it seriously. The episode is about fasting which is a religious belief in their culture, therefore it shows the eastern society embodying their religion. Moreover, Mr. Khan (although humorous) is always going to the Mosque and believes in being faithful to his culture and religion. This goes against Said's theory as it shows the eastern society being civilized.
Django Unchained shows the break free of a black slave when a white man finds him to take him on a mission. The clip reinforces Said's theory as the eastern society (main character) is shown as being uncivilized as he kills people. Moreover, the white man who rescues Django has authority and power. On the other hand, the theory of Orientalism is subverted as Django starts to have control later on in the film and even shoots a white man, therefore the eastern society gains some control.
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