Xenophobia in Hollywood Films A Recurring Motif of Insecurity in the American Psyche

Abstract

newlineFilm as an art form, reflects the society and sensitizes people about the serious issues plaguing the society. It can be presumed that Hollywoodand#8223;s recurring depictions of Middle East/ Arabs as terrorists, is the delineation of the xenophobia and insecurity ingrained in the American mind. The dissertation entitled Xenophobia in Hollywood Films: a Recurring Motif of Insecurity in the American Psyche, concentrates on how the American films articulate their fear of Others,and#8223; especially towards the Arabs. The study explores the motif of insecurity in the American psyche and their expression in the films by analyzing select Hollywood films which demonstrate their xenophobia. The films selected for analysis are True Lies (1994), The Siege (1998), Rules of Engagement (2000), The Kingdom (2007) and Rendition (2007). newline