We need more Somali people in the entertainment industry.

[XalimosVeryOwn]

This is the newest show on Netflix, that just came out called “The One”. And this isn’t even the first time Netflix or any show tried to portray us in a bad or unsettling light. Why is that we Somalis have to be gangbangers, immigrants, etc in Hollywood’s light. Even Black Hawk Down was bad enough, but Captain Phillips was okay, but it was good that Barkhad Abdi was being well-known and it made me happy seeing a Somali make it.

I seen the movie with Kosar Abdi, I think a thread was made on here or some place I read it. It’s good she’s an actress, and actually a Somali compared to the “Somalis” who portray us in these so called movies and shows.

It would be cool to see this generation Somalis be more open to being actors, singers (and don’t tell me it’s haram because it is but your favorite Somali singers sing as well), dancers, directors, and more. We need more Somalis in each category, we already have Models, Politicians, Reporters, Writers, but I just wished we could see more Somalis in Hollywood so the new generation of Somali kids can relate to them. I wished when I grew up I had Halima Aden, or Ilhan Omar, but I am glad now that my younger siblings can experience this and know they can do the same. Maybe I’ll be a actor, so I put my people on and hopefully be the first Somali to win a Oscar or a Tony award.

Thanks for coming to my Ted talk. *leaves*

 

[nuurka]

This is the newest show on Netflix, that just came out called “The One”. And this isn’t even the first time Netflix or any show tried to portray us in a bad or unsettling light. Why is that we Somalis have to be gangbangers, immigrants, etc in Hollywood’s light. Even Black Hawk Down was bad enough, but Captain Phillips was okay, but it was good that Barkhad Abdi was being well-known and it made me happy seeing a Somali make it.

I seen the movie with Kosar Abdi, I think a thread was made on here or some place I read it. It’s good she’s an actress, and actually a Somali compared to the “Somalis” who portray us in these so called movies and shows.

It would be cool to see this generation Somalis be more open to being actors, singers (and don’t tell me it’s haram because it is but your favorite Somali singers sing as well), dancers, directors, and more. We need more Somalis in each category, we already have Models, Politicians, Reporters, Writers, but I just wished we could see more Somalis in Hollywood so the new generation of Somali kids can relate to them. I wished when I grew up I had Halima Aden, or Ilhan Omar, but I am glad now that my younger siblings can experience this and know they can do the same. Maybe I’ll be a actor, so I put my people on and hopefully be the first Somali to win a Oscar or a Tony award.

Thanks for coming to my Ted talk. *leaves*

This is very disturbing.

 

[QueenofKings]

Hollywood/entertainment industry has a problem of portraying all minority groups in a bad light.

Side note - I hate the British RP accent on tv. It’s so fake and cringy.

 

[XalimosVeryOwn]

This is very disturbing.

What part is disturbing?

 

[Monke]

But they will just put somalis in horrible demeaning roles. What would be better if Somalis directe their own movies and shows.

 

[nuurka]

What part is disturbing?

An innocent girl, who went through multiple traumatic experiences only to be gifted to a weird greasy looking cadaan man. I also hate somalis are always associated with war.

 

[The alchemist]

One thing with this kind of representation is that the actors usually get put in roles representing the western context, shifting normal and accepted behavior in a more secular manner. If you want representation in entertainment, I think it's best to promote a film company and produce quality stuff promoting potentially brilliant Somali filmmakers and actors for a Somali audience, not become a token for non-Somalis to use as they wish in their plots.

Wouldn't it be more valuable to have an authentic Somali film industry, where we own the narrative to represent things we deem as important and address issues on our terms? I enjoy western movies like any other man, and I salute people like Barakhad Abdi who attempts to make it, but Hollywood as an institution will most likely not produce net value to Somalis, nothing that will effectively culturally enrich the Somalis. I'm not trying to be anti-Western, but we got to look at things more wisely and long-term.

 

[BetterDaysAhead]

But they will just put somalis in horrible demeaning roles. What would be better if Somalis directe their own movies and shows.

in Hollywood once you have the look and talent you're gonna have to make the right connections and even get involved in bribery to get the best roles

 

[digaagjecel]

Watch castle rock my friend was an actor and the somalis are portrayed in complicated way but it’s interesting.

 

[pirater]

that's disgusting. A refugee with a daughter who has been through trauma gets saved only for some white guy

 

[Lostbox]

Somali guys need better people/influencers to look up to then ghetto thugs.

Reer Canadian is proud of midget man acting hard

 

[J-Rasta]

Spoiler

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[AbdiS]

I feel like there wouldn't be any respectable positions for Somalis in the movie industry, especially for males. Until Somalia gets out of its dying state of poverty and corruption, the movie industry and directors would only hand-pick actors that are willing to play what Somalis are infamous for: piracy, corruption, poverty, violence, etc. The Captain Phillips movie, for instance, only covered over the most deplorable part of Somalis and Somali culture, showcasing Somalis as violent, murderous thugs who are unhinged and rebellious against any sort of civilization. Until that predicament changes, Somalia and Somalis will always be the anus of the world.

The only respectful positions we can get in an already crooked, immoral industry is selling our daughters and sisters so they can strip themselves half-naked in front of millions of people.


Anyways, I think the Music and Movie industry is one Somalis should never get into. Shaydamaha dhaan meeshas uu ku dax buuxa. It's best to avoid such a place.

 

[halwa]

They would have been actors if they got the chance. Somalis make quite the actors. What’s even worse is that whenever there’s a Somali role, it’s always a West African/islander playing that role. In that show, the woman playing Yasmiin isn’t even close to being a Somali. She looks more Kenyan. That’s why Somalis are under-represented. It isn’t because of ability but lack of correct ethnic casting.

I got excited thinking I would see a Somali xalimo in that show even though I was half offended by her story line but instead I got greeted with a bald-headed Kikuyu

 

[Viscount]

Somali guys need better people/influencers to look up to then ghetto thugs.

Reer Canadian is proud of midget man acting hard

Spoiler: read

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[BigShaq]

You'd rather a somali played that role?

 

[Villainess]

what? a gift? is she a sex slave?? are we supposed to praise her? “village”

try again Netflix! or leave us out of it

 

[Hotchick12]

Its better they do not represent somalis at all

 

[adventurequestworlds1.0.2]

You'd rather a somali played that role?

No but also i dont want non somalis to play tht role and i dont want non somalis to play somali roles whether shows movies cartoon

 

[Mercury]

what? a gift? is she a sex slave?? are we supposed to praise her? “village”

try again Netflix! or leave us out of it

Its not netflix whole hollywood have never represent somalis in a good way most times the actors aren't even somali

just look at this kulaha im from somalia