Documenting Honour: Examining “Honour Killings”and Muslim Representation in Documentary Film

Sara Jo L Phillips

doi:10.32920/ryerson.14645775.v1

Abstract

<p>Although documentary films offer viewers the chance to learn about the realities and experiences of others cultures, it is also possible for filmmakers to stereotype the people they represent. In this paper, I examine Shelley Saywell’s documentary In the Name of the Family, a film about Muslim youth victims of “honour killings.” I suggest that by framing domestic violence as “honour killings” this film stereotypes and misrepresents Muslim immigrant families. Through an analysis of promotional material and scenes from the film, I argue that the film’s use of Orientalist narratives of difference between Muslim immigrants and mainstream Canadian society contributes to the impression that “honour killings” are cultural and specific to Muslim communities. I further argue that Saywell’s use of the “imperilled Muslim woman” narrative to elicit empathy and compassion from viewers perpetuates the notion that Muslim immigrant families are traditional, oppressive and unwilling to adapt to North American society. </p>

Highlights

Shelley Saywell’s 2010 documentary, In the Name of the Family, examines the lives of Muslim immigrant youth victims of “honour killings” in Canada and in the United States. In her film she explores three cases of “honour killings”-- that of Aqsa Parvez, Sarah and Amina Said, and Fauzia Mohammed--that occur within a span of six months in the two countries
I suggest that by leaving viewers with the impression that domestic violence is specific to culture and religion, Muslim families are perceived as unwilling to adapt to North American society
I further suggest that this film contributes to the notion that “honour killings” are specific only to Muslim immigrants (Meetoo and Mirza 187-188; Sen 46; Welchman and Hossain 13-14) and that domestic violence in Muslim communities is worse than domestic violence in mainstream North American society (Jiwani, Discourses 21; Terman 5)

Summary

DOCUMENTARY FILM by

Sara Jo Louise Phillips, BSc, Concordia University, 2001, BA, Concordia University, 2006 A Major Research Paper presented to Ryerson University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Program of Immigration and Settlement Studies. AUTHOR'S DECLARATION FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF A MAJOR RESEARCH PAPER (MRP) I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this Major Research Paper. This is a true copy of the MRP, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I authorize Ryerson University to lend this MRP to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I further authorize Ryerson University to reproduce this MRP by photocopying or by other means, in total or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research.

Introduction

Analysis of Story Lines The Aqsa Parvez Story