DATE=4/21/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=HOLLYWOOD'S YEMEN
NUMBER=5-46179
BYLINE=ED WARNER
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Muslims and others are now demonstrating in
various American cities against a Hollywood film
called "Rules of Engagement." They say it makes Arabs
look like bloodthirsty fanatics, with not a good Arab
in sight. In its defense, the film's producer says it
is an action movie dealing with extremism. V-O-A's Ed
Warner reports on the film and the reaction to it.
TEXT: Occasionally, lawless tribesmen have kidnapped
foreigners in Yemen, but the small Arab nation is now
quite peaceful and free of political turmoil.
President Clinton recently praised Yemen for making
democratic progress.
But what is this? A screaming, hysterical mob of
Yemenis shooting at the U-S embassy -- women and
children joining in. Even a cute little girl aims and
fires. Then U-S marines shoot back and mow them all
down.
Such is the violent fantasy of a recently released
Hollywood film, "Rule of Engagement." Its plot
concerns U-S servicemen caught in the dilemma of post-
Cold War peacekeeping. Good lines here and there, say
the critics, and good acting.
But the camera shows fanatical Arabs seething with
hatred of Americans for reasons never explained. When
they are not shooting, they are lying and scheming.
Critics note there is not one sympathetic Arab among
the hundreds portrayed, which they say is unusual even
by Hollywood standards.
Yemen's ambassador to the United States, Abdulwahab
Al-Hajjri, has seen the film twice. "This movie
reaches millions of people," he says. "It's a total
ruin for us. Even if we launch a public campaign, how
do you fight Hollywood?"
Hussein Ibish, communications director of the American
Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, says the film
takes Arab-bashing to new heights:
/// Ibish Act ///
It portrays Arabs in general, Yemenis in
particular, as the implacable enemies of the
United States -- fanatics sworn to destroy the
United States. I am talking about men, women
and children, including handicapped little
girls, all of whom are shown opening fire on
Americans with automatic weapons. It is
disgraceful.
/// End Act ///
Mr. Ibish was speaking during a demonstration outside
a Washington theater showing the film. One of the
protestors explained why she was there:
/// Demonstrator Act ///
The movie is quite racist. It portrays Arabs as
being barbaric, violent and irrational people.
It does not seek to show the realty or to show a
truthful image of Arabs. It does not do
anything to bridge the gap between the two
cultures.
/// End Act ///
Mr. Ibish says he tried to contact Paramount Pictures,
which produced the film, but it never responded or
offered a screening ahead of time.
Paramount has issued a statement saying the film is "a
fictional account of the consequences of extremism in
all its forms. The film is not an indictment of any
government, culture or people. Rather, it explores
the human tragedy and consequences when people of any
society are put in extreme situations."
Mr.Ibish says not all Hollywood films are hostile to
Arabs. He cites two recent ones that he considers
fair to Islam and Muslims: "The Thirteenth Warrior"
and "The Three Kings." (Signed)
NEB/EW/ENE/JP
21-Apr-2000 16:32 PM EDT (21-Apr-2000 2032 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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