Edward Said on Orientalism (DVD MEF 009)

Need to research the origins of post-colonial theory? Looking for a critical examination of the way Islam is portrayed in popular culture? The documentary "Edward Said on Orientalism" confronts these questions and more.

In it the late Edward Said speaks about his book Orientalism and its profound influence on a diverse range of disciplines: anthropology, political science, critical studies, sociology, etc. He describes the context in which this and other books were conceived, their main themes, and how their theses relate to our contemporary understanding of the Orient.

Said also delves into the finer points of his philosophy, describing Orientalism as a culturally constructed lens through which the West sees, understands, explains, and interprets the "Other". It's why the media and popular culture often depict people from the Middle East as threatening, different, fanatical, extreme, and--at times--sensual. Oreintalism's distanciating gaze, Said explains, supplants individual humanity with blanket stereotypes.

Said also traces Orientalism's origins back to Napoleon's invasion of Egypt and resulting influx of scholars and scientists. These intellectual legions did to the Egyptians what they couldn't do to themselves (or to the French): create a Western-sanctified body of knowledge/stereotypes about Egypt and the Orient as a whole.

So check this documentary out. It's short 40 minutes do much to reveal Orientalism's colonial bred, and still thriving, epistemology.

Reviewed by John Valier

Orchestra Baobab - “Pirates Choice” (CD NONE 022)

It’s a shame that it took nearly twenty years for Orchestra Baobabs “Pirates Choice” to be available to music lovers in the U.S. Now that it’s here, audiences can finally be introduced to the dance bands perfect blend of lush guitar styles and light, breezy vocals all laid over funky afro-cuban beats. Most American ears will probably be shocked to hear lyrics sung, not only in Wolof, but Spanish and French with familiar jazz rhythms. When listening to the album you get a sense that the band, who was based out of the international port city of Dakar in the 1980’s, was highly attuned to all of the best music from around the world that passed through. “Pirates Choice” is a lesson in globalization: Sounds, styles, and rhythms that are often generalized and attributed to Latin American or Western music are brought back home to West Africa and revisited- becoming something new and different once again.

Reviewed by Mwende Hahsey

Basket Case 2 (Videorecord SGHV 001)

The film Basket Case 2 is one’s classic early 90’s horror film. It centers around two previously Siamese-twin brothers Duane and Belial. The brothers are adopted and sheltered by Dr. Freak, a kindly psychiatrist who thinks that freaks are beautiful people too. The brothers and consequently Dr. Freak and her Freaks are being stalked by a tabloid reporter thus there is killing involved. The freaks of the movie look like they were designed by R. Crumb and made by Jim Henson. The plot is fairly predictable until the last 20 minutes. One might wonder why I would choose to review Basket Case 2 and not the first Basket Case. It is because of the last 20 minutes. If you are a fan of horror films from the 80’s and 90’s this movie is a must, if you are not I would avoid this movie with a 10ft pole. The first Basket Case is good but the last 20 minutes of Basket Case 2 are the best 20 minutes of horror film EVER!

Reviewed by Anna Lena Nash