Yasmin

1. Does the opening of Yasmin offer a positive or negative representation of British Muslims?

The film Yasmin, was represented in a both positive and negative manner. I believe the film represented British Muslims in a positive manner as on one side the boy wakes up early morning to go pray and wake everyone else up and get its voice across. This shows that some British Muslims are still religious in a way and respect there religion by not going against it and concentrating on there religion. This shows that his personality is different as he doesn't care about driving and working etc. and is committed to his own religion. However on the other hand the film Yasmin also represented British Muslims in a negative manner and this is because Yasmin herself was going against her religion by going to work and driving which is not expected from a Muslim women as most of them are told to stay home and look after there families which is part of there culture. This shows that Yasmin and the boy both have different personalities even though they come from the same religion it shows that how British life has changed her whereas the boy is still committed to his religion even by living in Britain himself. Furthermore we see that they girl goes out in a hijab and her culture clothes, however on the other hand we see her coming in to the park and changing her clothes in to British clothing were she is wearing tight clothes which is totally against Islam religion and shows that she is going against it by doing all this. This links to edward saids theory as it shows a negative representation of the east as this girl is going against her religion. Another example of this is that she starts driving and listen to British music whereas on the other hand the boy is saying his holy words which is total opposite and shows two different personality's. 

Furthermore we see that she goes to the bar which is against Islam tradition as boys or girls are not allowed to enter the bar which shows she took a huge step and goes against it. however on the other hand it shows a positive representation of Yasmin as even though her friend is drinking, she drinks juice which shows she still has a bit of feel for her culture. Also later on she dresses back to her traditional clothes as she doesn't want to disappoint her family by turning home in British clothes

1. To what extent does the opening of Yasmin reinforce or challenge Said’s theory of Orientalism – that the west is superior to the exotic or dangerous east?

Orientalism is the difference between east and west, Edward Said who was born in 1935 and passed away in 2003 argued that the west constructed the meaning of the east and it was different, dangerous and uncivilised. Even though he used this theory in the 70s it is more relevant in today's society as the 9/11 bombings took place.  In the clip of Yasmin it reinforces Said's theory as in the first clip we could see the difference between the east and the west. The west don't want to accept the Muslims in their community as they feel they don't or shouldn't belong in their country.