Introduction to the End of an Argument

1990
45m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Introduction to the End of an Argument (1990)

This highly kinetic tableaux of uprooted sights and sounds works most earnestly to expose the racial biases concealed in familiar images. Relying on valuable snippets from feature films such... Read allThis highly kinetic tableaux of uprooted sights and sounds works most earnestly to expose the racial biases concealed in familiar images. Relying on valuable snippets from feature films such as "Exodus", "Lawrence of Arabia", "Black Sunday", "Little Drummer Girl", and network new... Read allThis highly kinetic tableaux of uprooted sights and sounds works most earnestly to expose the racial biases concealed in familiar images. Relying on valuable snippets from feature films such as "Exodus", "Lawrence of Arabia", "Black Sunday", "Little Drummer Girl", and network news shows, the filmmakers have constructed an oddly wry narrative, mimicking the history of ... Read all

Directors
- Jayce Salloum
- Elia Suleiman

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

YOUR RATING

Directors
- Jayce Salloum
- Elia Suleiman

2User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos2

User reviews2

7.583

Featured reviews

8valandil-1

It explained itself without comentary. A clever idea.

Although this film has no plot or story, it makes a very strong case against western discrimination and stereotyping of Arabs... A long series of clips from mainly hollywood movies that contained Anti Arab comments or portrayals cut into a flowing collage. The best thing about it is that it needs no comment, no text, no words. It makes no judgment, makes no comment but rather allows the audience to watch and judge for themselves. An almost impossible feat in any other medium. A clever idea, well executed.

10lee_eisenberg

As long as the issue remains, the whole world will keep watching

The situation in Israel-Palestine over the past year and a half has made Elia Suleiman's "Introduction to the End of an Argument" even more important. This experimental documentary consists mainly of footage from the region, as well as scenes from Hollywood movies depicting Arabs, with the aim of challenging the common narrative about the Middle East, and the Palestinians in general. It's a safe bet that practically any movie that you've seen has pushed some sort of stereotype. Think of this documentary as a de-programmer.

Some of the footage shows people who have since become even more prominent (namely a certain prime minister). Whatever the case, everyone should see this as an antidote to what has passed for discussions about the Arab world.