A Semiotic Analysis of Representations of Terrorism in Hollywood, both Before and After 9/11

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Communication studies, Tehran University

2 PhD Candidate in Communication studies, Tehran university

Abstract

This paper is to analyze the image of Arab Terrorists before and after 9/11 in Hollywood movies.  Whereas since 1990’s, Muslims have been the main subject of the movies with terrorism theme, regarding the 9/11 as one of the most important dates in terrorist attacks in the US history, two movies with the theme of Islamist terrorist attacks produced before and after this date were selected and analyzed. The constructionist approach was employed in representation theory of Stuart Hall as the main theoretical framework. For the research method, the semiotic approach was used based on John Fisk’s triple analysis. Results showed that before 9/11, terrorists have been shown as weak, uninformed and deceived by religion. But after that, they are radical people who commit terrorism acts consciously, and are fully aware of their actions consequences. 

Keywords

References

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Quarterly of Social Studies and Research in Iran
Volume 7, Issue 1
January 0
Pages 83-105

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