Paper 2: Film Analysis

Karen Molina
Spring 2009
Orientalism and Occidentalism
Due: March 19, 2009

Film Analysis: The Kingdom

For many years people of Middle Eastern decent have been depicted as villains in various Hollywood films. Events of terrorism and wars occurring in the Middle East have been used as the worst case scenario in the eyes of the average American citizen. These scenarios have developed discriminating stereotypes that have offended many people. An example of a film that not only causes fear, but portrays the villainous characteristics of Arabs is The Kingdom. This film, directed by Peter Berg, is based on the bombings that took place in 1996 and 2003 in American housing compounds in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The film opens with an overview of the relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States. These include the oil drilling that created problems due to the competition for ownership and the 9/11 involvement of Saudi Arabian terrorists. This beginning provides a brief concept of complicated and extensive issues that make Saudi Arabia seem like a dangerous place for Americans. For a viewer that has no historical and current knowledge of issues in the Middle East, this country seems full of terror, corruption, and mystery due to the different culture.
After the opening summary, which is brief and vague, American citizens in their oil company’s housing compound appear playing softball peacefully. In no time two terrorists kill and take the place of the Saudi State police in order to enter the compound to kill American civilians. These terrorists begin shooting through the housing complex, even killing a small child riding a tricycle on the sidewalk, until they are finally killed by a Saudi police officer. Another Saudi, which appears to be helpful in evacuating the people in the playing field, is in fact a suicide bomber that kills many more civilians. Before he pulls the trigger he says the prayer that has been linked to terrorists through out Hollywood, “La illaha ila Allah Mohammed rasul Allah” which means “there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is the messenger”. In Hollywood, this phrase and “Allah Akbar”, which means “God is the greatest”, have been common phrases used by terrorists right before an attack or suicide mission. These phrases clearly insinuate that Islam is the religion associated with the terrorism. Religious people find this association degrading and insulting to their religion, as such acts are not part of the Muslim practice. It also gives the American audience a sense that all Muslims are violent and could pose a potential threat to their safety. Also, the fact that Saudis kill their own countrymen shows a country that is torn amongst its people and where trust is hard to find. For an American it is a horrifying scenario as is it difficult to tell who the enemy is and who is there to protect them. The Americans in the film are living in a foreign land that does not want them there, which can be seen clearly as they are isolated into compounds,
While investigating the tragedy that same night, another bomb is set off killing more civilians and investigators. Later in the movie it is found that a hijacked ambulance was the source of the bomb, which shows terrorists having no remorse and being immensely deceitful. An ambulance, which serves the purpose of saving lives, is used as the source of terror and death in the film. After the attacks, four FBI agents are sent to Saudi Arabia to investigate, but are restricted access to the crime scene by the Saudi police. Upon their arrival the FBI members are transported at a fast speed to the safe grounds and when a suspicious car neared all guns were ready to fire. As they got closer only a camel was observed, clearly showing the paranoia that the police have while traveling through the streets. The agents are given rules that include not being able to be out at night, assuming that such time is the most dangerous. The FBI agents also met with Prince Rufus in public to promote his knowledge and cooperation with the involvement of the FBI. During this meeting the female agent was covered due to her tight revealing western clothes and is prohibited from attending a dinner at his palace. This shows the inferiority of women and how traditionally closed minded the men of the country can be towards the opposite gender. For the Western world this status of women and their appearance as the veiled silent citizens of the country seems extreme.
After a short investigation and raid of amateur teenage fighters, the FBI agents are escorted to the airport. But due to the knowledge of their presence by the terrorists, they become victims themselves. One of the agents is kidnapped by the terrorists but the others are quick to follow its trace. The race ends in a highly populated civilian city where other members of the terrorist group await the arrival of the agents. An attack begins with the use of guns and bazookas that have been linked as the preferred weapons of the terrorists. It is interesting to see in the film that bazookas are kept within common households in a highly populated civilian area. For an action fanatic this scene is the ultimate edge-of-your-seat fighting scenario. But for an Arab, the killing of more Saudis by the FBI agents, who only possessed guns and were outnumbered, seems unrealistic. Critics of the film have stated that it gives a sense of FBI worship like in other films where the few or even single American can defeat a whole group of highly armed villains.
The kidnapped agent is used immediately for a terrorist filmed announcement, which also portrays terrorists as eager to show the world what they have done. The kidnapped agent is rescued and the leader of the terrorist group is killed. The agents finally go home after what seems to be an accomplished mission for Americans. At the very end of the film both the Americans and Saudis end by saying “We’re going to kill them all”. This ending to the movie showed no hope for peace between Saudi Arabia and the United States. The young boy who is told this line by his dying grandfather is yet another brain washed Arab whose focused enemy is the United States. The presumption that all children born in the Middle Eastern countries are brain washed to hate and be willing to take part in terrorism is yet another false stereotype developed by the media. In the film, during the rescue mission of the kidnapped FBI agent, a young teenager is killed after shooting the Saudi police officer named Faris. This shows the willingness to die so young for a cause said to be right by the elders. The character named Faris, as the colonel of the Saudi police force works hand in hand with Agent Fleury and both men even become good friends. Both characters talk about what is right and seem to have a lot in common in their views. Colonel Faris is shown in the film as a religious man who dreams of really helping his country end the fighting and places his life in danger in order to settle things the right way. This character, who could symbolize the good and hopeful change, dies by the hand of his countrymen in the end. The film uses this as a loss of faith and to show the true danger that can occur while intervening with terrorism.
The Kingdom is a great example of the portrayal of the Middle East in the present time. Especially for Americans, after 9/11, the countries of these areas are seen as dangerous and full of people waiting for the chance to kill Americans. The presence of American civilians working with oil companies is clearly viewed as invading and those living there are not welcome in the country. Due to their presence, terrorist actions are planned and executed, which cause many casualties. The film incorporates many aspects of the Middle East that are commonly seen in the media including suicide bombers, ransom videos, weapons, women inferiority, American hatred, and killing of civilians. Such films, although based on true stories, do twist the truth and add what may seem to be the action that would be taken by a terrorist. If such films continue to flourish, the hatred and view of Arabs as villains will not decrease among Americans but in fact will grow far greater for years to come.