Reactions to 'Submission'

Coming from an agnostic perspective, I at first thought this film is one of the many lens in which I can explore the world religion of Islam. However, after finishing this film I realized that I wasn't really just watching a film teaching about a particular religion but instead the society revolving around it and how the international world perceives it. The entire aura of the film which consisted of accentuated artistic scenes, the English that emphasized the European origin, and the medium in which it is presented to me as a viewer (via the internet) all molded the way I perceived this short film - not as fact about Islam or simply how Islam treats women but instead as giving perspective to the level of tolerance and apathy in European countries as well as the type of reactions to expect from both the Muslim community and the international community.

This film is so short that it clearly isn't meant to be released in places with theaters for example. Instead, its length is perfect for spreading across the world via technology and is created primarily to speak to western audiences with the narration and dress (that is artistically revealing) to hit a certain level of intimacy yet confusion mixed with fear within a bystander (which is what I consider myself to be). However, this video calls you in to look outside of your comfort zone and really consider how some Muslim women live. I didn't really form a strong opinion of the religion itself but I was shaken up to become interested which may drive me towards researching up upon the topic. I can't speak for others' reactions, but from a bystander's perspective I can honestly say this film grabbed my attention in 3 ways: artistically, technologically, and linguistically. For some reason, internet always seems such a "free" both idea-wise and cost-wise that I don't view it as large-scale propaganda as I would if it was an bulletin ad or a large-scale movie. Another thing is if this video had a strong foreign feel (considering language, creators' backgrounds, and filming style). I don't think I would feel as a direct audience and the impact on shaking our apathies wouldn't have been so poignant.

Looking at how others have reviewed this film, I have to agree it can easily be taken as an affront to the Islamic tradition and and uproar is to be expected. What we don't want is creating a divide resulting from stereotypic views of a particular social group that become so solidified they can't change. We can't have the veil of tolerance hiding biased views which later erupt. I remember going to Europe a couple years back and a friend of my aunt had mentioned in passing his view of Muslims which was full of wariness. Despite the fact that individuals can be tolerant we can't just let that become synonymous with unspoken thoughts - because the thoughts still exist and have power to become action.

However, from the other side people who feel "affronted" shouldn't jump to conclusions or be too quick to defend. The things that bring the most reaction are controversial so there is usually an element of truth that people can't easy dispel. I think Ali was calling attention to the existence of these kind of treatments towards women. It could be taken as emphasizing misuse of the religion which causes mistreatment of women. As the narrator she questions the audience and expresses character's feelings of betrayal and doubt - as if asking the world to find the answer or uncover the truth.