Prince Of Persia Film Analysis

Prince of Persia (2010) perfectly demonstrates the use of the white race being seen as beyond ethnicity. It dehumanises the Persian people to a mere stereotype through the use of cinematic techniques and racial casting. The film is another example of white actors playing a role of a character they have no association with. In other words it is perceived as white washing. Unfortunately, this is a system that has been in place for many years thus making it impossible to pull apart. The casting of Jake Gyllenhaal as the lead character, along with a white cast, raised controversial debates. The idea behind his casting simply being that he is a well known actor who is sure to bring in audiences.
Despite anger from audiences this problem is still …show more content…
This aspect leads the world through European beliefs and values, painting them as centric. In this film the characters make it hard to believe that people at the time acted in such a way. The cinematic techniques through type and length of shot give an insight to the importance of the character . Whilst, Gyllenhaal is seen as the ideal Persian prince with distinct European features, we have ethnic people playing much smaller roles. Notable characters are the townspeople of Persia in the opening scenes of the film. The scene is fast-paced as young prince Dastan runs from the King 's guards. However, as he escapes we only see quick mid shots of the townspeople who are majority people of colour. Within these shots their costume of ragged and tattered clothes speak volumes. At first glance the audience can see that despite Dastan having the same clothes the focus still remains on him. The townspeople, perceived as poor, are simply onlookers of the spectacle. In relation to the reading the term Burden of Representation can be used. It numbs an ethnicity down to a negative stereotype that represents them all, in this case the townspeople of Persia are seen as dirty and poor. Again, this shows how white is seen as beyond ethnicity. A person of colour is forced to act and represent the said stereotype. Yet, for a white person they do not have to worry over being labelled as …show more content…
It creates lasting consequences for those of a particular race that is shown in a film. Once again, labels can be easily demolished for them but this is not the case for a person of colour. Unfortunately, labels are seen as the representation of a race and the film industry plays a first hand role in making them known. Jake Gyllenhaal playing the role of a Persian Prince ignores the cultural significance that it may have to people. Not only Gyllenhaal but majority of the main cast was not in any way Middle Easter or Asian. The character of Sheik Amar is also played by Alfred Molina - an English American actor. However, any other representation of a Persian was belittled to a slave or towns people, that too played by a person of colour. This is seen through characters and their dialogue, one example being Sheik Amar and his modern day slang. Adding to this we also have the length and type of shot as a way to show the importance of each