Orientalism & Film

Posted on by

Definition:

Depiction, and/or imitation of Asia from a westernised/colonial point of view.

– usually east asian countries but does incorporate Arab states and other Asian countries.

Orientalism in film, historically, was the way colonialists saw viewed Asia when they arrived.

  • The Disney Aladdin animation (1992) is a classic example of the this.
    • Accents of characters, song lyrics etc.

Shift in Definition

  • In recent years, it has not solely been the view from the old colonialist perspective.
  • Rather, we seen that it’s the western view of Asia, based on the prominent societal problem.
  • Here’s three films that illustrate this evolved definition.

1. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) d. Danny Boyle.

  • Already from the title, we can see that this is a view of the setting, in which the film is based.
  • The plot follows a 18 year old orphan who is one question away from winning 20 million rupees.
  • It views the extreme poverty that is present in India, as well as highlighting other societal problems throughout the narrative.

2. Furious 7 (2015) d. James Wan

  • This is an example of another growing perspective.
  • Generally in the media, more recently, Asia has a very polarised view; extreme crisis (poverty/war etc.) or extreme wealth.
  • In Furious 7, in the scene where they travel to Abu Dhabi, we see a very glamourised setting and lifestyle. 
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqpLey7dneo

3. London Has Fallen (2016) d. Babak Najafi

  • Interestingly, since 9/11, there’s been an increase in action films that involve some sort of terrorism.
  • In this film (which was terrible), we see a terrorist group organising attacks from a Middle-Eastern country, with infiltrators within the UK. Sounds like ISIS pretty much, doesn’t it?
  • This is another view from the West perspective that has been on the rise in film.

SUMMARY

Just to summarise, all these case studies are to show the slight shift in the definition of Orientalism.

  • From old colonialist view (how colonialists saw Asia when they arrived) to the Westernised view based on current affairs.