Ramy Youssef and Mo Amer Discuss Representation in Hollywood at Doha Film Festival
Ramy Youssef and Mo Amer recently addressed the depiction of Arab characters in Hollywood during a discussion about identity and narrative at the Doha Film Festival on Tuesday.
The duo were invited to the inaugural event organized by Qatar’s Doha Film Institute, which aims to support emerging talent and movies from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the Arab diaspora.
The festival opened with a significant industry gathering where new collaborations were announced between Qatar’s Film Committee and major companies such as Neon, Department M, Sony, Miramax, and Company 3.
When asked if these developments could positively influence Hollywood’s portrayal of Arabs and Muslims, both Youssef and Amer agreed that more efforts are necessary.
Amer highlighted the documentary Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People, which examines over a thousand films featuring Arab and Muslim characters from 1896 to 2000, to underscore the prevalent negative stereotyping in Hollywood. “To change this, we need to energize and support the incredible talents present here, giving them the chance and space to tell their stories. We need to be proactive and prolific in our storytelling,” stated Amer, a U.S. actor and comedian of Palestinian descent who was born in Kuwait and raised in Houston.
“We should utilize all forms of media, whether it’s film, TV, cartoons, or even shadow puppetry. The key is to do it as frequently as possible to counterbalance the stereotypical depiction that has persisted over the last century in Western media,” he added.
Amer also mentioned the Arab world’s long tradition of storytelling, its achievements during the Islamic Golden Age from the 8th to the 14th century, and its notable historical figures whose stories deserve to be told. “It’s crucial that we bring these characters to life to showcase our diverse culture and historical contributions, which are often overlooked. We need to commit to telling these important stories in a way that educates while it entertains,” he explained.
Youssef suggested that investors from the Gulf region, who are entering into partnerships with Western firms, should confidently express their perspectives on the content being funded. “Investors should realize that they bring more to the table than just their financial contributions. Your opinions are valuable and should be heard,” said Youssef, born in Queens to Egyptian parents and raised in New Jersey.
“This is a common practice in the industry. Networks often remind us that their financial input comes with opinions. So, investors should not hesitate to provide their input,” he concluded.
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