Hollywood is the world’s leading source of entertainment.
Hollywood movies and shows are influenced by various cultures but the representation of other cultures has not always been strong.
Here are a few examples:
1. Scandal.
Olivia Pope has just learned about the power of B613; their invisible hand influencing world politics at every turn. Her love interest Jake, the prettiest of the B613 operatives (Brain White has not featured yet) in an intense monologue confessing his role in B613 and the vast power of Papa Pope aka Command. The audience, on the edge of their seats. Then he says ‘bombing at the presidential palace in Kenya’.
Kenyan audience: which palace? Egerton? We have no palaces… just grossly extravagant mansions for government officials, thank you very much.
GIF: Giphy.com
2. Star Trek.
What a great franchise, with so many sequels, so many series and remakes. But for some reason, they thought they could pass of Kikuyu as an alien language.
3. My wife and kids.
The hit black sitcom was a show about well… a guy, his wife, and kids. In one episode the family is tackling fitness, and decide a marathon is a good motivation to get in shape. At the frontline, the lead character has an exchange with his wife, and he tells her to go stand with the Kenyans. Which is fine, dominating marathons is what we do. The camera pans to the Kenyans and they are making clicking noises, incoherent clicking noise. No syllabus in-between. Just a stream of clicking noise and the only language with clicks is in South Africa. And even then what a gross representation of Xhosa.
GIF: RealityTVgifs.tumblr.com
4. Quantico.
During episode one of the latest season, there is a kidnapping. And there is an exchange of words. The kidnappers’ words are allegedly Swahili, but sound more like an intern strung together the results of a quick Google translate session. Now to be fair, Kenya is not the only country that speaks the language so we cannot monopolize that disrespect. The writers at Quantico disrespected most of East Africa with that one.
GIF: Lipstickalley.com
5. Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
Still on Swahili, buffy is about to do what she usually does and save people. But she has to complete a few impossible tasks including crossing realms. Which she does, in this dessert realm, she comes across ancient shamen, who speak Swahili. But the translation of this Swahili is pretty touch and go.
GIF: RealityTVgifs.tumblr.com
6. Eagle Eye.
The full movie is pretty much saying Eastleigh is no longer a part of the sovereign nation of Kenya, but an autonomous territory run by Al-Shabaab.
GIF: Giphy.com
Which other show and movies have you noticed didn’t present Kenya in the best way? tell us in the comments. You may also like to read on Kenyan short films that you need to watch.
The post 6 Times Hollywood Slacked On The Representation Of Kenya appeared first on OMGVoice.Com.