West is West, the sequel to the phenomenally successful film East is East is in the cinemas. Fans have had to wait a long time for this moment. The first film blew us away.What follows is the usual ‘Wah! Muslims are always portrayed as terrorists or religious fanatics!’ rubbish.
Success, however, does not always nudge the gatekeepers to open their minds and eyes. In general, the British film and TV drama industries are deeply uninterested in most stories by and about British Muslims – a term I use broadly to mean all those from that background, believers and not.In other words, even if you believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster, or nothing at all, you’re still a ‘British Muslim’ as far as Yaz is concerned…
A series of assumptions lock arms and prevent entry to Muslims, perhaps because Muslims are thought too dangerous – fatwas and all that – or too touchy. And many are. So what? Most of us would like to see our diverse lives and dreams reflected, frontiers pushed out.Then get your own money put behind these sorts of projects, and get out there and get them done. How hard is that?
Surely your fellow ‘British Muslims’ will help?
Oh. Right.
But by far the most mind-boggling assertion is this one:
When 9/11 happened, he says: "My professional life was shadowed because of my surname – same as Saddam's." The director's chair with his name on it was suddenly a threat. Thankfully Barack Hussein Obama has helped ease things.Yes, because everywhere you go, ol’ Barry insists on his full name on every piece of publicity and documentation, right Yaz?
But they did feature in Ultimate Force on TV......oh yes, as terrorists! ooopppsss.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't muslims accept that not a small part of the population actively dislike them, and would rather sit through a Danny Kaye musical, with pins in their eyes, than watch Islamic propaganda/vitimisation sob-stories?
ReplyDeleteWhat's good ol' Yaz's explanation for this then:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/12860407
If the Muslim community get their knickers in a knot when a Muslim tries to do something, why on earth should the rest of us risk financial ruin?
Films and TV are for-profit ventures. While people enjoy them as entertainment, the reason people make them is to make money. If you run the risk of an outcry every time you do something the community doesn't like, why bother doing it? Just portray safer characters.
Unless you're Trey Parker and Matt Stone. But even their network pussied out in the end.
"Whatock Hunt" ? .. She certainly is ..
ReplyDelete"Stop saying Muslims are too touchy," says touchy Muslim in unhinged strop.
ReplyDeleteOh my sides!
Dear old Yazza, making mandatory wearing of the burqua seem like a good idea since 1972.
ReplyDeleteAll she needs is a Sat dish and she can watch MBC to her hearts content.
ReplyDeleteThey even get a 'Chris Tarrant free' version of Who wants to be a Millionaire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chZAajLr_-U
'Why can't muslims accept that not a small part of the population actively dislike them...'
ReplyDeleteUnderstatement of the month.
"Why can't muslims accept that not a small part of the population actively dislike them.."
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point. Whinges like this aren't helping, since it's pleading for special treatment, and no-one likes to hear that.
"If the Muslim community get their knickers in a knot when a Muslim tries to do something, why on earth should the rest of us risk financial ruin?"
Spot on. Perhaps Yaz should spend more time lecturing 'her people' than everyone else?
"All she needs is a Sat dish and she can watch MBC to her hearts content. "
Ah, but she doesn't want to watch. She wants everyone else to watch.
Sorry Yaz, I like what I like, and that's what I watch in MY house.