Why is Persian culture demonized in Hollywood movies?
I think this complaint shows one of the major cultural differences between Western culture and Middle Eastern culture. To the Western mind, watching the movie “300,” we would never associate the barbarous-seeming Persians of 300 BC with modern Persians. As you may recall, the Spartans are also portrayed as pretty brutal; these representatives of the West are not like anything a modern Westerner would aspire to. Look at the way they raised their children! And all weak children were either killed at birth or died in childhood due to the rigors of Spartan life. Besides, we know quite well that the movie contains elements of fantasy and is not totally realistic. We feel quite comfortable criticizing the vices and evils of our ancestors, while appreciating their courage and honor. Again and again I’ve seen people from the Middle East being mortified and offended at the suggestion that their ancestors have done something bad, as if it reflected on the people of today. Another example is Turk
