Films shape viewers’ perceptions because they seem more authentic than other media.

Evidence

A popular defense for portraying Muslims in such a way is that “it’s just a movie,” but this is underestimating the impact that movies have on Americans’ perception of Islam and Muslims. Rules of Engagement—among other films—may be “just” movies, but like other media outlets, they form the realities of our lives. 43 According to film historian Annette Insdorf, of all forms of art, “film is the one that gives the greatest illusion of authenticity, of truth.” 44 This is because, for many, it can be difficult to distinguish between a constructed reality and a pure, untainted reality. — Asena Karipek, Portrayals of Jihad, 52

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to cultivation theory in media studies and to the ‘media effects’ debates on representation. — connects to: Real-world conflict makes Hollywood Muslim stereotypes seem more credible to audiences — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 544; Public perception of deviance is driven by media narratives. — Cohen, Stanley, Folk devils and moral panics: the…, 219; AI-generated videos may alter our perception of real experiences. — Joanna Stern, I Am Not a Robot- My Year Using AI to…, 1286 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Real-world conflict makes Hollywood Muslim stereotypes seem more credible to audiences #complicates (0.60) — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 544
• AI-generated videos may alter our perception of real experiences. #expands (0.60) — Joanna Stern, I Am Not a Robot- My Year Using AI to…, 1286
• Media convergence can constitute reality rather than merely representing it. #expands (0.60) — , The Braided Reading EPUB, 19
• Public perception of deviance is driven by media narratives. #expands (0.55) — Cohen, Stanley, Folk devils and moral panics, 219