From Orientalism to Islamophobia: Media representation of Arabs and Muslims on the pre- and post-9/11 Hollywood on-screen and Egyptian Cinema

The primary aim of this thesis is to explore negative representations of Arabs and Muslims through an analysis of Hollywood films released pre- and post-9/11 in the context of contemporary theories and concepts, such as neo-Orientalism, postcolonialism and Islamophobia. Pre- and post-9/11 Hollywood films are analysed in relation to their sociohistorical contexts and the argument that Islamophobia could be generated from the latest transformation of Orientalism or as a response to multiculturalism and transnationalism.

The approach employs textual methods to study the use of language and power in the form of social practice. This includes employing context, critical discourse, and thematic and semiotic methodologies. This thesis is guided by a discourse on theoretical approaches in performing a cultural analysis of the films selected. Moreover, this analysis is interpreted through a critical theoretical framework within a sociological and historical context.

Through an examination of past research papers, the researcher identified several aspects of specific films that had a major effect on the presentation of Arabs and Muslims in Hollywood, including the emergence of new discourses about self-identity and negative representations of Arabs and Muslims, the re-emergence of Orientalism and the portrayal of Islamic fundamentalism in Egyptian cinema. Furthermore, the researcher identified that these films link Muslims to the issue of terrorism and portray them in a negative light, especially in U.S., Europe and the Middle East.

Additionally, the study investigates how Islamophobia said to be promoted in Hollywood and Egyptian cinema and explores discourses related to broader social processes. The study analyses a selection of films that represent Arabs and Muslims in terms of their cinematic, structure, philosophy, and conceptual framework.