"As a supporter of Israel, the film resonated with me," he said. Sarna felt it was very effective in installing fear and said that the film left him shaking.
He understood, however, why Muslim students in the audience weren't as compelled. Based on their reactions after the film, Sarna said the imagery felt like propaganda to them and made them angry.
The film could have been more conducive to bridge building, Sarna said, if it had paid more attention to a current mainstream Muslim community in the United States. Sarna also wished it had been more nuanced, perhaps by differentiating between Arab Muslims and East Asian Muslims.
He encouraged schools showing the film to air it as part of a series alongside films "on the other end of the spectrum." He also suggested a panel discussion afterwards similar to that held at NYU.
The panel discussion after the NYU showing "really showed students it's okay to confront the real issues as long as you have the mechanism to unpack them," Sarna said.
He understood, however, why Muslim students in the audience weren't as compelled. Based on their reactions after the film, Sarna said the imagery felt like propaganda to them and made them angry.
The film could have been more conducive to bridge building, Sarna said, if it had paid more attention to a current mainstream Muslim community in the United States. Sarna also wished it had been more nuanced, perhaps by differentiating between Arab Muslims and East Asian Muslims.
He encouraged schools showing the film to air it as part of a series alongside films "on the other end of the spectrum." He also suggested a panel discussion afterwards similar to that held at NYU.
The panel discussion after the NYU showing "really showed students it's okay to confront the real issues as long as you have the mechanism to unpack them," Sarna said.
