I seriously do not understand why Arabs are making such a big fuss over Brüno and its purposeful misportrayal of a Christian Palestinian as a terrorist. In that same film, Sacha Baron Cohen makes fun of African-Americans and Jewish people, mistakes Texan congressman Ron Paul for a drag queen, harassed a charity worker at a seniors bingo game and repeatedly engages in absurd behaviour. Even the GLAAD has criticized him for “reinforcing gay stereotypes”. For God’s sake, the movie is classified as a mockumentary.
Therefore, when the Arab media, instead of criticizing the movie for vulgarity or ridiculousness, call this a pro-Zionist film, I simply shake my head in wonder. Where in the film does it show its stance on the Arab-Israeli conflict? Bruno confuses Hamas with Hummus, and thinks that the conflict is between Jews and Hindus. Need I say anymore?
Now don’t get me wrong. I am not defending the movie: I find it completely ridiculous but nevertheless humorous. What I am concerned about are these double standards present in Arab consciousness. How come it’s okay for us to enjoy a movie where the Russians are the ugly bad guys or the Native Americans are the barbarians but whenever it comes to the villains being of Middle-Eastern descent, we are quick to label the film as racist?
Please, my fellow Arabs, this “untouchable” status that you are subtly demanding is the very same thing that you accuse Israel of having. This is hypocrisy, and remember what the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said about hypocrites:
“One of the worst people is a double-faced man, who come to one group with one face and to another group with a totally different face.” (Related by Al-Bukhari and Ibn Hibban)
Ayyane 