The recent wave of protests throughout the Muslim community stemming from an extremely low budget production raises some serious questions about credibility in the world of filmmaking. The release on YouTube of Innocence of Muslims has created a furor worldwide, but one wonders whether those who responded with such anger have even seen the video? Or why they are taking such outlandish views so seriously?
It all started with an extremely low-budget film titled Innocence of Muslims. Under the pseudonym Sam Bacile, filmmaker Nakoula Basseley approached actors with the pitch of the life of a generic Egyptian 2,000 years ago. Unbeknownst to them they were taking part in was what can only be referred to as anti-Islamic propaganda. The pitched story itself had no religious references to anti-Islamic content (including denigration of the Prophet as a skirt-chasing molester). This was all apparently added in post-production without the actors’ consent.
Innocence of Muslims is so far removed from a film that I want to refrain from describing it as one. The ‘film’ was first broadcast on YouTube on September 8 of this year, with demonstrations breaking out days later, first in Egypt and Libya, and then spreading to other Arab and Muslim nations and a few Western nations. While it looks like a parody, It’s not meant to be comedic, although it certainly feels it. Cindy Lee Garcia, one of film’s actresses, alleges she didn’t know about the movie’s anti-Muslim content, with her script making no reference to the prophet Mohammed, or any religion for that matter. Garcia has filed a lawsuit against YouTube seeking the video’s removal from the site. The White House also wanted YouTube to immediately remove the video, most likely due to fears violence would ensue from viewings. The clip, however, doesn’t violate YouTube’s community-standard guidelines governing the United States.
Free speech plays a big factor in the debate surrounding Innocence of Muslims. Groups have the right to protest against perceived injustices but their cause is immediately undermined the minute violence is used as a means. In Sydney, protesters clashed with police, leaving six officers and 17 others injured on September 15. It’s alleged that a significant number of protesters attended the initial gathering to show support for their faith, but were unaware of the violence to come. One of the more disturbing images from events showed a young boy photographed holding a sign reading “behead all those who insult the Prophet”. His mother claims she “didn’t understand” what the word ‘behead’ meant. Police are concerned repeats of the riots will occur and have increased their presence in Sydney’s CBD. Social media websites are being monitored, with rumours of a similar protest occurring in Melbourne, however nothing has eventuated so far.
Google has blocked the video in the following countries:
- Egypt
- Libya
- Indonesia
- Saudi Arabia
- India
Pakistan’s government even decided to ban YouTube altogether because of its refusal to block the clip. Pakistan also responded to the video on September 22 by holding a ‘Day of Love for the Prophet’, however events quickly turned sour with 19 people killed.
Tensions have further flared within the nation after Cabinet minister Ghulam Ahmad Balor announced during a news conference that he would personally finance a bounty of US$100,000 for the death of the ‘filmmaker behind the video’ (although never naming Nakoula specifically). While acknowledging incitement to murder was illegal, he said he was “ready to be hanged in the name of the Prophet Muhammad” and proceeded with his plea. Needless to say the government distanced itself from his comments.
Innocence of Muslims will never be made as a feature film, forever condemned to the World Wide Web, however this doesn’t mean its influence isn’t far reaching.
It has certainly achieved its goal of creating enormous buzz worldwide, with an extremely gritty feel and average editing. However Iran is taking the video’s release very seriously, announcing a boycott of the 2013 Academy Award ceremony and asking other Islamic nations to follow suit. An interesting move after the country took out the Best Foreign Language film award for Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation in March this year.
What should be encouraged is for Innocence of Muslims to be ignored and dismissed as incredibly ignorant, ill informed and tacky. While many may be able to do this, it’s not as easy to overlook the consequences of its release.
Image by mauritsonline/ Flickr
