Cinema and cultural plurality: the use of Arab films in educational practices concerned with otherness

Abstract

Eastern societies are under a stereotyped and prejudiced view, according to an interpretation derived from a historical process called Orientalism, that is, discourses of different natures (literary, administrative, pictorial, filmic), but equally constructed by Westerners, aiming to legitimize processes of political domination and economical. Recognizing the strength of this perspective, and refusing it, this paper aims to present a pedagogical appropriation that emphasizes the cultural plurality expressed in Arab movies. The main reference of this study is based on another paradigm called Orientalissimo and associated with the effort to know about the East from speeches produced by the Orientals themselves. The research had a qualitative approach, applied nature, and connected description and explanation, making use of bibliographical and documentary investigations. The theoretical contributions involved thinkers from education, cinema, culture and aesthetics. It is concluded that “Caramel” (2007), “The Yacoubian Building” (2006), and “Paradise Now” (2005) deal with themes such as woman, social organization and suicide bombers. However, in order to create visions based on otherness, these movies are considered important cinematographic narratives for the development of educational practices focused on reflections on themes associated with the Arab universe in a complex way, with more depth, and based on a second viewpoint regarding the voice of the Other to be known.