Edward Said's book Orientalism has been profoundly influential in a diverse range of disciplines since its publication in 1978. In this engaging and lavishly illustrated interview he talks about the context within which the book was conceived, its main themes, and how its original thesis relates to the contemporary understanding of 'the Orient.'

Said argues that the Western (especially American) understanding of the Middle East as a place full of villains and terrorists ruled by Islamic fundamentalism produces a deeply distorted image of the diversity and complexity of millions of Arab peoples. He unearths the intellectual roots of 'orientalism' in the history of imperial conquest stemming back to the 18th century. Looking ahead to the 21st century, he argues that it is this legacy of 'difference' and mistrust that must be overcome if conflict, discord and violence are not to be humanity's permanent future.

'That's the power of the discourse of Orientalism. If you're thinking about people and Islam, and about that part of the world, those are the words you constantly have to use. To think past it, to go beyond it, not to use it, is virtually impossible, because there is no knowledge that isn't codified in this way about that part of the world.' -Edward Said

DVD

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