The two documentaries, Terrorstorm and Terrorism are documentaries, which are presumably based on facts, which to any layman would seem to reflect a reality that exists but is hidden from general knowledge because of a few powerful people who control media and other sources. According to both these documentaries, there is truth out there that is not disclosed; rather it is very successfully being covered up so that the hidden agendas cannot be made public. So from the outset, both these movies appear to be valid showing and detailing valid arguments which are convincing to a person who doesn’t understand the actual reality. This paper will discuss the viewpoint of the filmmakers regarding Red Flag operations and violence in Islam.
Alex Jones’ Terrorstorm is one of the many conspiracy theories going around for a long time, The documentary is not about Muslims or against them, rather it has more to do with how the terror attacks both in the US and in the UK were carried out as insider jobs and there was a great cover-up by the government which has been behind the 9/11 tragedy. The documentary repeatedly points to the fact that 9/11 was just one of the instruments through which the people in power were trying to create hegemony.
He gives the example of a false flag, pointing to a covert operation that has been used for years to achieve their agendas giving the example of a coup arranged in Iran in the 50s to overthrow a legally elected government and put its chosen people in power. The documentary discusses the different events leading up to 9/11 and the events after the incident to argue that this was one of the false flags. He asks the viewers to become more aware and conscious about what goes around and also for a need for watchdog agencies and checks and balances which can check the power of the leaders in countries like the US or the UK.
Terrorism: The New War on Freedom by Caryl Matrisciana and Dr. Peter Hammond is about Islam and its links with violence. This movie through its limited vision tries to portray all Muslims as violent and bloodthirsty individuals who are trying in all the Muslim countries to slaughter and kill people belonging to other religions. The documentary is not only stereotypical in its portrayal of Muslims it also strives to prove that Islam as a religion intrinsically is all about violence and killing.
The message is clear that unlike other religions there is evidence that Islam supports and encourages violence. The documentary is about the clash of Islam and Christianity and the inevitability of this conflict and the need to be prepared. The views expressed in this documentary not only reflect hatred but a very narrow interpretation and look at one of the three major monotheistic faiths in the world. This movie is an example of intolerance and racist attitude which tries to win support by stereotyping.
Both these works are attempts at trying to make those issues more mainstream, which are presented at the periphery of mass media. Terrorstorm and Terrorism are both alarmists in the extreme, the former being a conspiracy theory, convincing people to have additional watchdog agencies over government agencies, while the latter is the portrayal of Islam as a violent religion. The truth in both these movies is a major casualty as they strive to convince and win over more people to their way of thinking.
References
Hammond, P. (2009) TERRORISM: The New War on Freedom Understanding Islamic Jihad. Web.
Jones, A. (2009) Terrorstorm- The Movie. Web.