The Iranian American Bar Association (IABA) and Levantine Cultural Center (LCC) present "Dismantling the Axis of Evil: Reforming Middle Eastern Representations in Hollywood & Seeking Sounder Public Policy after 9/11 in the Age of Obama."
Reza Aslan, Shiva Rose & John TehranianThis program includes a brief review of roles in film and television, followed by a spirited dicussion, and questions from the audience. Panelists include Reza Aslan, author of No God, but god and How to Win a Cosmic War; John Tehranian, attorney and author ofWhitewashed: America's Invisible Middle Eastern Minority; Maz Jobrani, actor and comedian ("Axis of Evil Comedy Tour"; "The Interpreter"); and Shiva Rose, actress ("David & Layla" and playwright.
Moderator Maz JobraniIn an event held at the beginning of this year entitled Arabs and Muslims in Hollywood, Levantine Cultural Center along with the Muslim Public Affairs Council and the Screen Actors Guild, brought together a star-studded panel of actors and directors to examine the portrait of Middle Easterners in Hollywood and the themes of terrorism and religious extremism that often follow. Participants included casting director April Webster ("Lost," "Criminal Minds," "24"), Oscar-nominee and Emmy-winner Shohreh Aghdashloo, Omar Metwally ("Munich"), Raya Meddine ("Bosta," "The Young and the Restless") and Maz Jobrani ("The Interpreter", "Homebody Kabul")
This is a follow-up discussion and a "how to guide" on eliminating negative stereotypes of Middle Easterners in the media that undermine the social and political voice of these communities in America. Specifically, the panel will feature a distinguished group of experts from Hollywood academia and the bar to discuss the link between media representations of the Middle Eastern community and the ensuing public policy decisions of the last decade, including the war on terrorism. The panel will also assess concrete reforms to bring about a more balanced depiction of the Middle Eastern community in entertainment and media.
Date/Time:
Nov 10 2009 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Price:
Free to the public, donations requested.
RSVPs 310.657.5511 or email contact@iaba.us.
Where:
Mark Taper Auditorium
Los Angeles Central Public Library
Fifth and Flower Streets
Downtown Los Angeles
Underground parking $8 per car.