The Dictator

The Dictator is a 2012 political satire and comedy co-written by and starring Sacha Baron Cohen. The movie takes place in New York during a United Nations council due to international concerns over his countries clandestine nuclear program. General Aladeen played by Sacha Baron Cohen has ruled the North African country of Wadiya since the age of 6. He took over as ruler when 97 bullets and a hand grenade killed his father when he was on a hunting expedition. Right here we already have an example of orientalism. The movie portrays his home country as one that is unsafe and the government officials as clueless and reckless. After taking over, General Aladeen is convinced by his advisors to go to New York and attend the summit.

Their are constant examples of Orientalism throughout the film that are highlighted and very hard to miss. First off, the city of Wadiya features exaggerated wealth as a result of all the oil their with a very "Middle Eastern" accent. The city is portrayed as an oasis and wasteland in the middle of nowhere with a massive government mansion where Cohen lives. There are no modern buildings anywhere in the city. Next, the movie shows a flashback to when Cohen was born and he comes out of his mother's womb with a full grown beard and endless body hair which supports the stereotype that all middle easterners are hairy. Later on, the movie supports the orientalist idea that all women are not respected and treated right because throughout the film Cohen always has women by his side that are barely dressed and bossed around. An example of this is when Cohens romantic interest said that she attended Amherst college, Cohen responds by saying, "I love it when women go to school. It's like a monkey on roller skates. It means nothing to them but it's adorable to us.". This clearly shows the inaccurate portrayal of women throughout the movie.

The movie also supports the idea that all Middle Eastern men are savages and angry all the time. Cohen is constantly ordering the executions of pedestrians and others because of the slightest offenses.  Also Cohen's father is shown as a tyrant and a savage. I think the best example of Orientalism shown in the film comes when Cohen meets the head of the security staff at the hotel. The head of the staff says, "I hate arabs". Cohen then tells him that Wadiya is not an Arabic Country but the head of the security staff says. "Well you are all Arabs to me". The belief that all middle easterners are Arabic is clearly an example of the ignorance that arises from Orientalism.

It is upsetting that a lot of movies coming out now a days and in the past continue to highlight and harass the culture and lifestyle of people living in the Middle East. Also the fact that most people do not recognize the inaccurate portrayals of the Middle East in films is upsetting. I can't imagine how people from Arabic descent feel when watching these movies portrayal of their country. With movies like, The Dictator, Orientalism continues to invade our movies and televisions shows with very few people realizing what is going on or trying to stop it.