Identities and the Media: Post-colonialism & Orientalism
1) 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 clip of Yasmin portrays both positive and negative views on British Muslims. The protagonist Yasmin herself is seen to be an independent women with her own car and will to dress accordingly to how she perhaps wants to dress but could similarly, be argued to be a way for her to "fit in" society and hiding her true culture, working with predominantly white people. Additionally, we see how she subverts from the expected stereotype and helps disadvantaged white people as a living. Nevertheless, there are also negative stereotypes of men. The man asleep on the floor reinforces the typical stereotype of Asian men as being indolent, with no job or contributing to society.With that being said, we al