“Beirut” and the Myth of Endless Middle East Conflict
The ahistorical portrayal of Lebanon as eternally embroiled in religious warfare decontextualizes modern conflict, portraying Arabs and Muslims as inherently backwards, fanatical, and violent.
by Joseph Leone
The trailer for the upcoming political thriller Beirut, starring Jon Hamm and Rosamund Pike, is a tour de force of tired and dehumanizing Arab stereotypes. The film tells the story of a U.S. diplomat (Hamm) trying to negotiate the release of a colleague from the clutches of violent extremists du…
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