Poster #153 - Hollywood’s mirror: public perceptions of Muslim characters and their real-world impact

• In Event: Friday Poster Reception

Abstract

Media framing affects people’s perceptions in multiple ways. This study explores the audience's perceptions of the portrayal of Muslims in Hollywood films, with a focus on the relationship between filmmakers’ intended messages and how viewers interpret and evaluate these depictions. It investigates whether audiences believe Hollywood presents Muslims in a biased or stereotypical manner and how this perception aligns with their views on the realism of such portrayals. Using a US national survey-based sample, our initial results reveal a complex dynamic. When asked generally about filmmakers’ intentions, many respondents viewed portrayals of Muslims as diverse and realistic, while depictions of Muslims as extremists were seen as less realistic.

However, when asked more specifically about the frequency with which they see Muslim

characters in particular roles, participants often viewed both extremist and romanticized

portrayals as realistic, revealing a contradiction in perception. Interestingly, male respondents

were more likely to view Hollywood’s overall depiction of Muslims as realistic, whereas

individuals with lower levels of education tended to view these portrayals as less realistic.

Author

• Mahrukh Maqsood, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
  Presenting Author