Comments on: New IMAX film, Arabia 3D, Opens Friday at Natural History http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/2011/02/new-imax-film-arabia-3d-opens-friday-at-natural-history/ A new Smithsonian blog covering scenes and sightings from the Smithsonian museums and beyond. Thu, 23 May 2013 11:39:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: SP in Germantown http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/2011/02/new-imax-film-arabia-3d-opens-friday-at-natural-history/comment-page-1/#comment-5934 SP in Germantown Sun, 06 Mar 2011 18:50:39 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/?p=16834#comment-5934 I thought this film, shown at the Museum of Natural History, would be about the geography and culture of Saudi Arabia. It did cover these somewhat, but from a very biased perspective. The film is essentially a 45-minute long propaganda piece from the Saudi government. The film covers the great periods in the history of the peninsula (and yes, there are some) and indicates that Saudi Arabia is poised for another Golden Age – drive by oil. However, it does not cover why the civilization entered decline after those eras. The film places much emphasis on Islam as the overwhelming influence in everyday life. However, it’s without any mention of the Islamic extremism that was born in Saudi Arabia. Viewers will infer that everyone in the kingdom lives a happy life, fulfilling the preachings of Mohammed, and content with all that the government does. In terms of the status of women, the Arab narrator simply says that there is “a long way to go.” They interview one woman who seems content with the status of women in Saudi Arabia and never attempt to show a contrasting view. If you want to spend 45 minutes learning what the Saudi government wants you to learn about Arabia, this is the film for you. I was very disappointed that the Smithsonian Institution chose to show it. I thought this film, shown at the Museum of Natural History, would be about the geography and culture of Saudi Arabia. It did cover these somewhat, but from a very biased perspective. The film is essentially a 45-minute long propaganda piece from the Saudi government. The film covers the great periods in the history of the peninsula (and yes, there are some) and indicates that Saudi Arabia is poised for another Golden Age – drive by oil. However, it does not cover why the civilization entered decline after those eras.

The film places much emphasis on Islam as the overwhelming influence in everyday life. However, it’s without any mention of the Islamic extremism that was born in Saudi Arabia. Viewers will infer that everyone in the kingdom lives a happy life, fulfilling the preachings of Mohammed, and content with all that the government does.

In terms of the status of women, the Arab narrator simply says that there is “a long way to go.” They interview one woman who seems content with the status of women in Saudi Arabia and never attempt to show a contrasting view.

If you want to spend 45 minutes learning what the Saudi government wants you to learn about Arabia, this is the film for you. I was very disappointed that the Smithsonian Institution chose to show it.

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