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2011/01/12 23:57:44
Subject: Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
13th Warrior was the one who immediately leapt to mind for me.
I don't know if I think it's appropriate to completely disqualify characters based on historical figures. Particularly in historical fiction (like Kingdom of Heaven) the writers rarely hesitate to tweak events and people to fit the story. If a fictionalized story/film portrays that historical figures as a good person, I think that should count too. Up to you though, as it's your thought exercise.
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More2010-2014 GT/Major RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 78-20-9 // SW: 8-1-2 (Golden Ticket with SW), BA: 29-9-4 6th Ed GT & RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 36-12-2 // BA: 11-4-1 // SW: 1-1-1
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Lol, suggestions are coming thick and fast now. I'm trying to check them all...
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Mannahnin wrote:13th Warrior was the one who immediately leapt to mind for me.
I don't know if I think it's appropriate to completely disqualify characters based on historical figures. Particularly in historical fiction (like Kingdom of Heaven) the writers rarely hesitate to tweak events and people to fit the story. If a fictionalized story/film portrays that historical figures as a good person, I think that should count too. Up to you though, as it's your thought exercise.
Oh go on then... certainly in The 13th Warrior, the character has lost all historical basis anyway.
And we'll have Saladin too...
Automatically Appended Next Post: And yes, Tony Shaloub's character in The Siege does appear to be a muslim. In he goes...
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2011/01/13 00:10:03
The name of the character from The Kingdom is Colonel Faris Al Ghazi and he's played by Ashraf Barhom who also played in the new Clash of The Titans as one of the brothers that likes to kill things. I'm pretty sure the character is muslim because of the requests he makes of the female CIA agent to "cover herself" etc which is in line with Muslim beliefs.
2011/01/13 00:52:52
Subject: Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
Maybe Sibel in Head On, though the principle characters in that are obviously both flawed and fallible people.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347048/
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More2010-2014 GT/Major RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 78-20-9 // SW: 8-1-2 (Golden Ticket with SW), BA: 29-9-4 6th Ed GT & RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 36-12-2 // BA: 11-4-1 // SW: 1-1-1
DT:70S++++G(FAQ)M++B++I+Pw40k99#+D+++A+++/sWD105R+++T(T)DM+++++ A better way to score Sportsmanship in tournaments The 40K Rulebook & Codex FAQs. You should have these bookmarked if you play this game.
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Ah yeah...so its a little obvious that Western media treats characters who are muslim just the same as those who worship any other relegion, or none at all then... A bias may be portrayed in other media, but at least in films it seems that directors don't let relegion take presidence over a character's personality; least not in any decent films that is. Whatever, its a little ignorant to suspect a bias just because of supposed trends in social views etc, but meh, least the subjects cleared up a little. `^.^
2011/01/13 02:57:45
Subject: Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
1. Must be a relatively main character. Supporting roles are permitted provided they have a decent amount of screen time. check
2. Must not be a bad guy in any way shape or form, although I will permit rogue characters (i.e. characters with dubious morals, but technically on the side of good - e.g. Han Solo, Jack Sparrow). check
3. Must be fictional i.e. not based on a real person check
4. Must be a character in a film, characters from TV shows (which are generally better at exploring different cultures albeit in a simplistic and limited fashion) are not permitted. check
Aladdin. The whole freaking movie was named after him.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2011/01/13 02:58:49
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2011/01/13 03:16:24
Subject: Re:Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
And this is really a lot harder than it should be...
“We may observe that the government in a civilized country is much more expensive than in a barbarous one; and when we say that one government is more expensive than another, it is the same as if we said that that one country is farther advanced in improvement than another. To say that the government is expensive and the people not oppressed is to say that the people are rich.”
Adam Smith, who must have been some kind of leftie or something.
2011/01/13 03:23:12
Subject: Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
kronk wrote:1. Must be a relatively main character. Supporting roles are permitted provided they have a decent amount of screen time. check
2. Must not be a bad guy in any way shape or form, although I will permit rogue characters (i.e. characters with dubious morals, but technically on the side of good - e.g. Han Solo, Jack Sparrow). check
3. Must be fictional i.e. not based on a real person check
4. Must be a character in a film, characters from TV shows (which are generally better at exploring different cultures albeit in a simplistic and limited fashion) are not permitted. check
Aladdin. The whole freaking movie was named after him.
Already beat ya to it didn't spell it right but still
2011/01/13 04:51:06
Subject: Re:Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
“We may observe that the government in a civilized country is much more expensive than in a barbarous one; and when we say that one government is more expensive than another, it is the same as if we said that that one country is farther advanced in improvement than another. To say that the government is expensive and the people not oppressed is to say that the people are rich.”
Adam Smith, who must have been some kind of leftie or something.
2011/01/13 04:56:53
Subject: Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
Also, in the movie Syriana the sheik's son who ends up hiring Matt Damon as a consultant. He's portrayed as a wealthy aristocrat who wants to do everything to save his country and stop the waste and excess that stems from outside interference in his country.
2011/01/13 07:03:07
Subject: Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
Wolfun wrote:Isn't Ahmad ibn Fadlan in The 13th Warrior a Muslim?
The one that sprung most to my mind.
Lead character, protagonist and action hero in a semi-fantasy film that didn't need a Moslem hero. The Norsemen could have picked up a 13th warrior and started the tale from just about anywhere.
Furthermore the character is very clearly Moslem, to the point of teaching basic religious arabic to his hosts.
I found the counter to sterotype refreshing.
Automatically Appended Next Post: I also remember seeing this:
Though not the film Christopher Lee is discussing:=
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2011/01/13 07:09:03
n'oublie jamais - It appears I now have to highlight this again.
It is by tea alone I set my mind in motion. By the juice of the brew my thoughts aquire speed, my mind becomes strained, the strain becomes a warning. It is by tea alone I set my mind in motion.
2011/01/13 07:21:57
Subject: Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
That sounds absolutely awesome, Orlanth. Thanks for mentioning it. Christopher Lee once more reminds us how awesome he is, too.
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More2010-2014 GT/Major RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 78-20-9 // SW: 8-1-2 (Golden Ticket with SW), BA: 29-9-4 6th Ed GT & RTT Record (W/L/D) -- CSM: 36-12-2 // BA: 11-4-1 // SW: 1-1-1
DT:70S++++G(FAQ)M++B++I+Pw40k99#+D+++A+++/sWD105R+++T(T)DM+++++ A better way to score Sportsmanship in tournaments The 40K Rulebook & Codex FAQs. You should have these bookmarked if you play this game.
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Flashman wrote: certainly in The 13th Warrior, the character has lost all historical basis anyway.
You know this is one of the references in "Prospero Burns" right ? The "historical" character anyway.
On topic ( and inspired by the Bond thread) I'm sure there's several in the Bond films, especially in one of the Dalton ones, where they help attack and destroy a Russian airbase.
The poor man really has a stake in the country. The rich man hasn't; he can go away to New Guinea in a yacht. The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all
We love our superheroes because they refuse to give up on us. We can analyze them out of existence, kill them, ban them, mock them, and still they return, patiently reminding us of who we are and what we wish we could be.
"the play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king,
2011/01/13 09:33:34
Subject: Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
Gitsplitta wrote:The guy from the "Mummy" movies... who's name escapes me.
The guy from "Romancing the Stone" (Jules... i.e. the jewel that everyone was fighting over).
The Mummy guy was Ardeth Bay played by Oded Fehr. I disqualified him earlier today as I didn't think his character was muslim, but just double checked and wiki believes he was. Ardeth Bay is thus awarded No. 2 positive muslim character.
Interesting note - he was also a key actor as a Muslim good guy The Cell I think.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Flashman wrote:
Gitsplitta wrote:The guy from the "Mummy" movies... who's name escapes me.
The guy from "Romancing the Stone" (Jules... i.e. the jewel that everyone was fighting over).
The Mummy guy was Ardeth Bay played by Oded Fehr. I disqualified him earlier today as I didn't think his character was muslim, but just double checked and wiki believes he was. Ardeth Bay is thus awarded No. 2 positive muslim character.
Interesting note - he was also a key actor as a Muslim good guy The Cell I think.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2011/01/13 12:09:40
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
2011/01/13 12:15:29
Subject: Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
...Pitch black ... Every one is travelling to new mecca ... and we have at least one holly man Abu Emam Al Wald ... technically he's also in The Chronicles of Riddick
2011/01/13 13:22:45
Subject: Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
Tri wrote:...Pitch black ... Every one is travelling to new mecca ... and we have at least one holly man Abu Emam Al Wald ... technically he's also in The Chronicles of Riddick
Good spot Tri Added to the list
@ Frazzled - Can't see Oded Fehr in the cast list for The Cell.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2011/01/13 13:30:16
Tri wrote:...Pitch black ... Every one is travelling to new mecca ... and we have at least one holly man Abu Emam Al Wald ... technically he's also in The Chronicles of Riddick
Good spot Tri Added to the list
@ Frazzled - Can't see Oded Fehr in the cast list for The Cell.
I swear I thought that was him, but of course could be wrong.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
2011/01/13 13:46:54
Subject: Postive Muslim Characters in Western Cinema
didn't spell it right but still 
