Throughout the history of film, the depiction of ethnicity in war-themed films has been a very touchy subject. And why wouldn't it? Hollywood has established itself as one of the most influential forms of mass media.
So, is it any surprise that seeing Bruce Willis take on an army of Nigerian ethnic cleansers in "Tears of the Sun" would upset some people, especially given the fact the film fails to offer any explanation for the enemy's actions?
"They completely feed off main stereotypes and they are usually negative stereotypes. Especially today they depict anyone with dark skin as a terrorist," said MSU alumna and State News columnist TJ Jourian.
Recently, Hollywood's depiction of Middle Eastern people has jumped to the foreground of the touchy issue. Films such as 1998's "The Siege," in which domestic terrorist attacks cause the detainment of massive Arab and Muslim populations, drew controversy from the Middle Eastern community.
As international tensions mount, Hollywood will likely draw considerable controversy for both present and past depiction of ethnicities, particularly those of Middle Eastern descent. Because the topic is so relevant, it has been catapulted into the limelight.
Yet, throughout history the issue of representing ethnicity has been present.
"I grew up in a time when black people were portrayed negatively and it was impossible not to be affected by it. The way Arabs are portrayed now is similar," said Bill Vincent, professor of English and film studies.
"If you look at films like 'Iron Eagle' in the '80s, Hollywood kind of gives support to the countries that we're supposed to be against," English junior Nathan Burt said.
Films tend to run into problems because of their massive appeal and consumer base and audiences' lack of knowledge where other cultures are concerned.
"I think film has an extreme suggestive power. It also goes back to the viewer. If they understand that they are watching fiction, then they can take the appropriate things from it," said Burt. "If you're going to rally around Arnold Schwarzenegger shooting a missile with a terrorist attached to it, then your views of reality need to be greatly assessed by a psychiatrist."
It is this problem, though, which seems to be the central issue in the treatment of ethnicity in film. Because Hollywood consistently shells out films with a minimal amount of minorities represented, casting people of ethnicity in villainous roles only adds fuel to the fire of misunderstanding.
"People believe what they see, unquestioned. There is a lack of ethnicities depicted in Hollywood. Vision is skewed by having a low amount of characters depicted," apparel and textile design senior Dana Iglesias said. "Hollywood shows a skewed perspective of human population as a whole.
"It's easier to believe stuff you've been told your whole life. It's difficult to tell yourself that what you've learned is false. Pretty much every FBI or CIA movie I've seen is the same formula of a white, powerful man killing evil Arabs with accents," Jourian said.
Film reporter A.P. Kryza can be reached at kryzaand@mus.edu.
