‘WW84’ revives MENA stereotypes: Review

New Hollywood movie ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ revives Islamophobia and harmful stereotypes regarding people in the Middle East and North Africa, a review says.   

The review compared the flick with some racist Hollywood movies produced almost four decades ago, noting, “‘WW84’ shows how little has really changed when it comes to Hollywood’s treatment of other countries and other cultures, in particular those of the Middle East and North Africa.”

Patty Jenkins’ sequel to 2017’s ‘Wonder Woman’ was streamed on Charismas Day and stirred controversy on social media with online users objecting to the fact that many elements of WW84 represent stereotypes. 

The review also said, “’WW84’’s clichés might feel as integral to the period…, but breathing new life into orientalism and Islamophobia is a little more unforgivable than a fashion faux pas.”

While the flick tries to depict historical facts, the re-arranging comes out to be quite strange. ‘WW84’ misrepresents “the Egypt of the 1980s and the causes and complexities of the Iran-Iraq War.”

The review concludes that  ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ “continues the othering of cultures …, a reminder of the hollow promises of representation as offered by the corporate entertainment behemoths pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into these films." 

AG/AG