Tarek Fahmy: Cultural Critic

Coexistence:
How de we accept difference without violence and hostilities?

This 4 part documentary is on the book “Orientalism” by Edward Said.

Jack Shaheen’s “Reel bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People” appropriates many of it’s ideas from Edward Said’ book “Orientalism”.

I just bought the book and ran into this interview/documentary featuring Edward Said. The book was written in 1978.

“…Said described the “subtle and persistent Eurocentric prejudice against Arabo-Islamic peoples and their culture.” He argued that a long tradition of false and romanticized images of Asia and the Middle East in Western culture had served as an implicit justification for Europe and America’s colonial and imperial ambitions. Just as fiercely, he denounced the practice of Arab elites who internalized the American and British orientalists’ ideas of Arabic culture.”taken from a wikipedia entry.

PART #1

PARTT #2

PART #3

PART #4

Lets go back to Jack Shaheen’s ‘Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People’ for a moment. Like I previously mentioned, Mr. Shaheen suggested that if an Arabic fund, individual, or corporation establishes a lobby in Hollywood by purchasing a production company that, over time, would change the Arab’s image in Hollywood. Further, since “Washington and Hollywood Spring From the same DNA” tht lobby could seep into the general culture and politics of the WEST.

I started to research potential companies/countries that would do this based on their current activities and ideologies.

The UAE became the prime candidate because of it’s ‘progressive’ image, cash rich economy, and it’s massive development projects.

I was going to pick any compnay or fund that seemed suitable and create then branding for that production company that they were buying.

While doing research on the matter I found out in the news that Dubai International Capital (DIC), a private equity company owned by the ruler of Dubai, said it has made a “substantial investment” in Sony. The exact numbers are not disclosed.

This is perfect since Sony owns Colombia pictures and my ‘fictitious’ Arabic company
has become a reality.

I am still thinking of developing the branding for the ‘new’ Colombia pictures that is now partially owned by the DIC.

So far this is where I stand in my research process.

Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated!

Tarek

Article Title: Dubai takes ’significant’ stake in Sony
LINK

State-owned Dubai International Capital makes investment in Japanese conglomerate.
“Hollywood and Washington spring from the same DNA.” Movie mogul Jack Valenti

After reading “Reel Bad Arabs”, Jack Shaheen, and watching the one hour documentary, I was thinking that it would be a kewl thesis topic to invent a fictitious Arab owned company that buys a Hollywood production studio and establishes a much needed Arabic lobby in Hollywood. Over time, that Arabic Hollywood voice would start to seep into western culture and politics in general, slowly changing the misleading ‘orientalist’ view of Arabs and painting a more humanistic picture of the peoples.

(DIC), a state owned Dubai International Capital just bought a ’significant’ share of Sony. As you may or may not know, Sony bought the Hollywood giant Colombia Pictures in 1989. In effect, DIC bought a stake in Colombia pictures as well. Will this be the start of eradicating the vilification of Arabs in Hollywood and culture in general or is it purely a financial endeavor on DIC’’s part?

Article Title: The risk of blocking sovereign wealth
LINK

With the credit crunch continuing, it’s no wonder financial institutions and Western governments are taking more interest in sovereign wealth funds, explains The Evening Standard’s Bill Condie
SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUNDS

Government investment vehicles set up by countries that are cash-rich - many in the Middle East or China. SWF for short, not to be confused with Adobe’s Flash file format.

“Sovereign wealth funds have been around since the Kuwait Investment Authority was established in 1953, but have become more visible as their coffers have swollen from oil revenues or massive trade surpluses.”

Are these SWF’s also buying a powerful lobby in the countries that they are investing in or politics is not in their agenda.

Article Title: Abu Dhabi purchases iconic New York skyscraper
LINK

Investment council takes 90% stake in landmark tower, the Chrysler Building.

:::::::OLD NEWS::::::::

• The Abu Dhabi Investment Council pays $800 million for a 90% share of the Chrysler building.

:::::::DUBAI’S PURCHASING POWER:::::::

• Investment fund Meraas Capital of Dubai paid $2.8 billion last month for the General Motors Building on Fifth Avenue.

• Dubai International Capital, said it has made a “substantial investment” in Sony.

• Dubai International Capital agrees to buy a $1.26 billion stake in Och-Ziff Capital Management Group.

• Dubai has announced the purchase of the British ocean liner RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 from Cunard Line for US$100 million, for conversion into a luxury floating hotel.

• Dubai Aerospace Enterprise announced a firm order Tuesday to buy 100 Airbus planes worth $12.6 billion for its leasing operations.

“There’s nothing subtle about Dubai. Its crowded, smoggy skyline is part Miami, part Las Vegas, and all new.”