this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2024
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[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 33 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I think in case of Ra's Al Ghul in Nolan movies, the title is passed from one leader to another. He's not a 1000 year old warrior.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 8 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I really don't think it would have hurt to cast an Arab actor as Ra's Al Ghul. And then you wouldn't need a convoluted explanation like that.

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

That's true. But I wonder if the creative team thought it would be in bad taste to have an Arab guy as head of global terrorist organization so soon after 9/11

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

In that case, maybe choose a different villain.

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Bruh. Since it is a title, it doesn't matter who is holding it. Even comics Ra's Al Ghul doesn't mind that considering he wants Bruce Wayne to be his heir.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yes, again, you can come up with that convoluted after-the-fact explanation that wasn't in the movie or you can not piss off Arab people.

[–] escapesamsara@lemmings.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I don't think not being typecast as terrorists pisses off arabs

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Good thing the character isn't a terrorist then. The head of a cult of assassins is not a terrorist. Assassins target specific people for specific reasons, not to create terror.

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

They want to destroy a city by means of chemical warfare. They're absolutely terrorist jfc did you even see the movie?

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I thought we were talking about a character that's the head of a league of assassins, not the actual plot of the movie. You know that the movie didn't have to have that plot, right? You realize it's not some sort of requirement to make that specific Batman story, yes?

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

....What even is your point? In almost every iteration Ra's al Ghul is trying to destroy Gotham (or Star City in case of CW's Arrow). He's absolutely a terrorist.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Apart from the many, many, many Batman stories where he isn't.

He even teams up with Batman sometimes.

Maybe the problem here is you don't actually read the comics.

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

OK, do the analysis of how many stories/continuities/universes have him as a terrorist vs how many have him as an ally. If you can split the latter criteria into 'was never a terrorist', 'was a terrorist but is now a repentant ally', 'never even murdered anyone' then even better.

Include pie chart if possible.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

You don't even know his comics biography and you're demanding that. 🙄

A few seconds at Wikipedia could tell you his basic motivations, which are not terrorism:

Raʼs al Ghul is an international criminal mastermind whose ultimate goal is a world in perfect environmental balance. He believes that the best way to achieve this balance is to eliminate most of humanity

He's not trying to scare anyone, just kill them and everyone they know. He doesn't care whether or not there's any terror. It doesn't even enter into the equation for him.

The fact that you don't even know that and you've been arguing with me this whole time about him being a terrorist is hilarious.

Next time, maybe learn about Batman before you argue about Batman.

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

He believes that the best way to achieve this balance is to eliminate most of humanity

That sounds like terrorism to me 🙄

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Do you remember your own definition? In what way is that intended to cause fear?

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Terrorism, in its broadest sense, is the use of violence against non-combatants to achieve political or ideological aims.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism

I'd say murdering people to achieve 'balance' counts as terrorism. Which is what Ra's al Ghul does.

Anyway, goodbye. You're being a clown. And not a funny one either.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -1 points 1 month ago

Ah, so you're going with a different definition than the one you initially gave me. How blatantly dishonest of you. I'm not surprised you're hiding behind silly insults.

[–] escapesamsara@lemmings.world 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Given assassin actions by definition are terror attacks, I'll disagree with you.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Please show me that definition. Assassinations are generally not done to cause terror. They are done to achieve more specific political goals (i.e. get the guy in power out of power).

[–] escapesamsara@lemmings.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

So the same definition of terrorism, i.e. specific actions done to further political goals. You're mad for no reason here

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

That is not the definition of terrorism... if you believe it is, please show me this definition.

Also, please quote what in specific I said that makes you think I am angry about this.

[–] escapesamsara@lemmings.world 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803103209420

Terrrorism is the use of violence to cause political change. Not whatever nonsense you were taught in whatever terrible education system produced you.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

You're not going with your own definition. Did you even read it or did you just think I wouldn't? It starts with this:

The calculated use of violence or threat of violence to inculcate fear.

The purpose of most assassinations is not about fear.

[–] escapesamsara@lemmings.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Read more than the first line, try again, and maybe enroll in a literacy program instead of continuing to exist online.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -2 points 1 month ago

Insulting me won't make the purpose of assassinations to be about fear.

But sure, let's go with the second sentence. There were only two sentences in the definition:

Terrorism is intended to coerce or intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.

That is also not what assassinations are usually about. They are usually not about coercion or intimidation. They are about retribution or seizing power.

Feel free to insult me on that front too.

[–] Soulg@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world -1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

For the same reason the excuse of a white character being named Mitsimu Hashimori is that it's just a title being passed down is something people might find offensive.

[–] Soulg@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I think artists can make whatever they want (within the bounds of the law) and that it's up to the consumers to decide whether they like it or not with their wallets.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

When did this become about what people can do and not about whether or not they're being highly offensive?

It is legal to make and distribute a movie where a guy just yells the N-word for 90 minutes. I assume you would find that offensive. Most people would.

[–] Soulg@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Right, so I wouldn't watch it or give them money, and I'm sure you and most other people wouldn't either. But if that person wants to make it, more power to them.

It's been about that the entire thread. The OP image is about casting choices.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

No one ever said anything about what people can or can not do.

[–] Skua@kbin.earth 2 points 2 months ago

Ghassan Massoud (the guy that played Saladin in Kingdom of Heaven) would have been perfect

[–] CyberEgg@discuss.tchncs.de -2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

No, I don't thinking would work since his daughter's called Thalia Al Ghul, indicating Al Ghul is a family name.

Also,we don't need to make up apologies for whitewashing.

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 11 points 2 months ago (1 children)
  1. He literally says 'we have been around for 1000 years and since Nolanverse is devoid of any fantastical elements, passing the torch is the only possible explanation.

  2. Her name is Talia Al Ghul from Doylist perspective but not from Watsonian.

For all we know, she doesn't have any last name/family name in-universe and uses the alias of Miranda when she's globetrotting for a bit of terrorism.

[–] CyberEgg@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)
  1. He literally says 'we have been around for 1000 years and since Nolanverse is devoid of any fantastical elements, passing the torch is the only possible explanation.

I always thought he meant the League of Shadows, not a single position.

  1. Her name is Talia Al Ghul from Doylist perspective but not from Watsonian.

She calls Ra's Al Ghul her father. It may be an interpretation that Al Ghul is a name, but so is the title interpretation. And imho the name is far less of a stretch.

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yes. He is referring to League of Shadows. However, very early in the movie he says "If you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal, you become something else entirely" so it seems obvious in hindsight that this applies to Ra's as well as if applies to Batman.

Hell, I always thought Ken Watanabe was Ra's Al Ghul and the title passed on to Liam Neeson after the former died.

[–] CyberEgg@discuss.tchncs.de 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

However, very early in the movie he says "If you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal, you become something else entirely" so it seems obvious in hindsight that this applies to Ra's as well as if applies to Batman.

But that doesn't mean Henri Ducard became a Ra's Al Ghul or Ra's Al Ghul became the League of Shadows. It's like a religious thing, like christians consider themselves reborn after baptism.

Hell, I always thought Ken Watanabe was Ra's Al Ghul and the title passed on to Liam Neeson after the former died.

I can see where you're coming from, I'd expect some quote like "I am Ra's Al Ghul now" or something.

Again, I can see your interpretation, but I think Ra's Al Ghul simply being a name is far less a stretch and requires fewer assumptions.

[–] TheBat@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago

Ra's al Ghul translates to demon's head. Do you still think it's just a name?