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" as represented in the mass media.

"That's the power of the discourse of Orientalism. If you're thinking about people and Islam, and about that part of the wold, 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

Produced & edited by Sanjay Talreja
Executive Producer, Director & Editor Sut Jhally
Copyright 1998

SECTIONS: The Repertory of Orientalism / Orientalism and Empire / American Orientalism / Orientalism Today: The demonization of Islam in the news and popular culture / Orientalism in Action: The media and the Oklahoma City bombing / Orientalism and the Palestinian Question

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