In 2005, the Danish national newspaper Jyllands-Posten printed 12 editorial cartoons—with depictions of the prophet Mohammed—commenting on the use of Islamic religious dogma to justify terrorist acts. Muslim leaders condemned Jyllands-Posten, culture editor Flemming Rose, and the Danish government, calling for protests that eventually led to violent demonstrations resulting in over 150 deaths. Filmmaker Karsten Kjær interviews Rose, journalists in Germany and France, cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, and Denmark's Prime Minister about the paper's original intentions in publishing the cartoons, the Islamic community's response, and whether the interviewees would likely censor themselves in the future to avoid further violence. Kjær also interviews several Muslim leaders, including the Imam who originally called for protests, the leader of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and the Grand Mufti of Lebanon, asking them why critical comments about Islam are so harshly condemned, and whether they felt responsible for the violence and deaths stemming from the Jyllands-Posten cartoons. Kjær argues with Muslim leaders, questions whether the Quran actually forbids depictions of Mohammed, shows the cartoons to those who have not seen them, and intercuts their comments with footage of riotous demonstrations and violent rhetoric. Yet Kjær's tone throughout remains both evenhanded and professional, while Muslims are given ample camera time to state their positions. Ultimately, Kjær shows that news outlets in Denmark and other democratic countries did censor themselves to some degree after the central incident, fearful of further violent response from Muslims. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)
Bloody Cartoons: Freedom of Expression & the Clash of Cultures
(2008) 54 min. DVD or VHS: $149.95. Films Media Group. PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 978-1-60467-447-7 (dvd), 978-1-60467-446-0 (vhs). Volume 24, Issue 3
Bloody Cartoons: Freedom of Expression & the Clash of Cultures
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