Humor som bro eller hinder: Islam i två norska filmkomedier

Sofia Sjö

doi:10.23865/noasp.69.ch6

Abstract

Since the turn of the millennium, characters identified as Muslims have become more common in Nordic film productions. While these characters are predominantly found in dramas or crime stories, they also appear in a number of comedies. This chapter explores how Islamic religious beliefs, practices and characters are presented in two Norwegian comedies. Specific focus is on how two different comedic genres – the romantic comedy and the teen comedy – shape how Islam is represented, as well as how Muslim characters and experiences of being a Muslim in a Scandinavian country today shape and challenge traditional narratives, structures and perspectives in comedy. Special attention is given to aspects of gender, ethnic humour and affect. The author argues that the films uphold certain stereotypes but also contest ideas relating to the «other» and contemporary Scandinavian identities.

Highlights

Han inviterte komikere til å vitse om religion og livssyn, og representanter for jødedom, islam, kristendom, samt humanetikere, var spesielt invitert
Eksemplet viser at religion og humor ikke nødvendigvis trenger å stå i motsetning til hverandre, men at det foregår forhandlinger om hvordan humor og religion skal forholde seg til hverandre i en spenningsfylt offentlighetssfære
The study asks: What characterizes Vi Menn’s humor on religion, gender and sex during this period? Which religions are covered, and how are they portrayed? How are categories such as gender, sexuality and ethnicity expressed in the jokes? The analysis shows that ideas about gender differences are an important component of the jokes, and that the jokes are based on stereotypical conceptions of gender and religion

Summary

Introduction

Handlet om humor og religion, er påstanden vel så aktuell i tilfeller der det er religion det slås vitser om. Finnes det grenser for hva man kan le av, eller lage humor på, i forbindelse med religion? Det er for eksempel liten tvil om at humor i norsk TV har endret seg fra fjernsynets barndom på 1960-tallet og frem til i dag.

Results

Conclusion