Kids Corner

Images: courtesy - 'Super Sikh' Comic Books.

Film/Stage

New Documentary Examines How Comic Books Tackle Stereotypes:
Je Suis Superhero

CHARLES LAM

 

 

 





Do you ever wonder how stereotypes propagate?

That's the question filmmaker Harleen Singh wants to answer with her new film, "Je Suis Superhero" - ‘I Am Superhero.’ The documentary, which started its crowdfunding campaign this week and has already broken 80 percent of its goal, will examine racial and gender stereotypes through comic books.

"Comics are an excellent lens on the society," Harleen explains. "They incorporate storylines that reflect the times, but they also propagate stereotypes for their super heroes. It's the perfect back drop for getting the message across about how generalization is not the best thing."

The film follows three comic artists: Vishavjit Singh, known on the Internet as the Sikh Captain America; Keith Knight, a black cartoonist whose work often deals with race; and Eileen Kaur Alden, who co-created the "Super Sikh" comic book.

Alden, who helped Harleen conceptualize the documentary, sees the modern comic community as evolving and open, especially compared to the medium's early roots.

"It really makes me feel that we're in this moment of zeitgeist of concept of comic diversity," Alden said. "It's not just about slapping a diverse character into an old trope. I think what people are craving is really diverse stories, something that's not quite so focus grouped or old and familiar. It's crazy to think that not that long ago that comics were this domain of outsiders and now it's completely mainstream."

In addition to scenes with the cartoonists, "Je Suis Superhero" will also feature analysis from cultural experts, including Arvind Singhal, a professor of communications and director of the Social Justice Initiative at the University of Texas at El Paso; Andrew Farago, curator of the Cartoon Art Museum; and cartoonist and journalist Adam Elrashidi.

"This message of the film is about not generalizing people," Harleen said. "[Generalization] is out there in newspapers, it's out there in the political process. People are talking about racism. We need to look at it clearly and understand each person is an individual and not generalize people."


[Courtesy: NBC News. Edited for sikhchic.com]
March 17, 2016
 

Conversation about this article

1: Arjan Singh (USA), March 19, 2016, 10:13 PM.

I did not even read the entire article, just the headlines. The image itself prompted me to post this comment. I am deeply troubled with Sikhs being depicted again and again in print and video media with guns in their hands. This is one of the biggest misconceptions of the Sikh identity. Yes, at one point we had to rely on weapons to protect our very identity and survival. But in the modern world we do not need to keep showing weapons in the hands of our heroes. There are plenty of intellectuals and professionals who can be, should be, and are, our heroes!

2: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), March 24, 2016, 9:02 PM.

Sikhs can indeed change the world for the better - as they have uptill now - but only if they live in accordance with the high values and principles of Sikhi.

Comment on "New Documentary Examines How Comic Books Tackle Stereotypes:
Je Suis Superhero"









To help us distinguish between comments submitted by individuals and those automatically entered by software robots, please complete the following.

Please note: your email address will not be shown on the site, this is for contact and follow-up purposes only. All information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Sikhchic reserves the right to edit or remove content at any time.