The recent release of the movie "The Kingdom" had people bemoaning another release that seemed to portray a "typical" Hollywood stereotypical view of other cultures.
While movies can be used as an entertaining way to spend time and escape reality for a few hours, many people voice their concerns over the messages that some films are promoting.
They may contain too much violence and wrong information in order to fit the plot. This may cause people to become de-sensitised and prejudiced.
Movies play a big role in promoting violent and prejudiced behaviour among youngsters.
Movies of today undoubtedly not only play a big role in promoting violent and prejudiced behaviour among young people, but their elders as well. They are the main reason for spreading rigidity, egoism, pride and uncompromising attitudes, thereby leading to divorce, disrespect towards parents and unpleasantness in society. They are replacing values of good behaviour.
– M.L. Pincha
Dubai
Movies these days have a lot of violence and it doesn't help children. Normally people copy what they see on the screen and this is especially true when it comes to children. They cannot differentiate between films and reality.
– Mohammad Aamer
Sharjah
Children might want to emulate the heroes and characters they see on the screen. Images from TV and film affect people, whether you're young or old. Parents need to spend time watching what their children watch so that they can monitor and explain the differences between the fiction that is portrayed and reality.
– Jenny Henningsson
Dubai
People who are older and who've gone through the different stages of development will not be swayed as easily. Youngsters cannot differentiate between what's real and fake sometimes. A popular movie from India inspired a bunch of dangerous stunts implemented by people wanting to fly like the lead character. Even my younger brother was trying this.
– Zeeshan Qadir
Dubai
Gratuitous violence and licentious behaviour in films has de-sensitised people.
I do agree to some extent. However, people should have the sense to choose what is right from a movie. They should be able to segregate the good from the bad. It is a fact that young children of today are already addicted to television programmes, where they see a world beyond their imagination. Parents should be able to guide them.
- Ramachandran Nair
Oman
We're seeing things in movies and on TV that we never did before. If we see something objectionable now, we don't stop to think twice about it because we consider it as normal. I've noticed that recently, films show more skin and violence than just about four or five years ago.
– Parmeet Singh
Dubai
Once people watch these things over and over again they get used to it. Once you've seen many levels of violence you might look for something more interesting or enticing. I am a sensitive person so I am still affected every time I watch movies with such things in them. But I think a majority of people are de-sensitised.
– Miloslava Kosavera
Dubai
The world now sees this as commonplace. It's just a part of our society. I see it a lot in the films I've seen recently. To an extent I think it's part of the changing worldview but people have to be careful about what they're exposing themselves to.
– Ritvic Kashyap
Sharjah
Films play a key role in promoting stereotypes.
It usually depends on the person watching the film. People mostly watch movies for entertainment and as a way to let go of everyday stress. They may believe what they see in certain documentaries, but motion pictures are usually based on horror or comedy. They don't promote stereotypes and this is what we usually get to see in the theatres.
– Suhail Saqib
Sharjah
I think it depends on the film itself. I recently saw a movie called The Transformers where they showed the behaviour of the US army in Iraq. I think some movies like these provide us with the truth and the reality to an extent. In others, they exaggerate it too much and whatever the movies show, the true situation may be very different. It all depends on the movie.
– Ebrahim Al Malh
Dubai
I think many movies really do create stereotypes, sometimes unintentionally. But a lot don't. To an extent, Hollywood movies are realistic, for example the films and documentaries on 9/11 try to be objective and true to the facts. Bollywood is completely different. It's very melodramatic and usually doesn't focus on issues such as race and stereotyping.
– Ajab Attari
Sharjah
Often, people only know what they see. Without prior knowledge of something a person might mistake something in a film as factual. However, movies are about escapism. People shouldn't base their knowledge and facts on such things.
– Marlon Kustec
Dubai
Moviemakers have a moral obligation toward their audience.
It depends on what kind of movie they are making. With films of the fantasy genre, they don't need to worry since people will know before going into the theatre that the situations in the film are not real and even children tend to know that. Directors just have to put their idea across in a classy way and let people decide for themselves.
– Aigerim Tanzharykova
Sharjah
If they want people in the theatre watching their movies, then they'll have to think about what their audiences want. All the blood and violence in recent films doesn't benefit most audiences. I think people want something with a little more relevance and importance.
– Adil Iqbal
Dubai
They have to be careful about what they show because teenagers and young people might try and emulate what's being shown. For some people movies are just entertainment but for others it can influence their thoughts and actions. A director should not overstep his boundaries when presenting a film to his audience.
– Hayder Albatat
Dubai
Many people have reservations about letting their children watch movies. However, moviemakers in some cases show important issues that are affecting societies. I believe that the sooner children come face to face with reality the better so that we can guide them about what's wrong and what's not.
– Warda Rizwan
Dubai
