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It's a great idea to have TV networks from around the world screening a series of documentaries about democracy. The blurb accompanying Bloody Cartoons says the series does not offer a solely Western perspective, which is encouraging. Yet this film, about cartoons printed in a Danish newspaper depicting Mohammed - and the uproar they caused - is clearly presenting events from the point of view of Danish filmmaker Karsten Kjaer. Yes, he interviews a number of muftis and other Muslim leaders but we're left in no doubt what he thinks.
There also isn't a tremendous amount of new information. We know Muslim leaders were offended by the cartoons, so to see them condemning their content is hardly surprising. What is interesting is following Kjaer into Iran, where he sidesteps attempts to keep him in the capital and goes in search of an activist present at the messy Danish Embassy protests in Tehran. Had this man seen the cartoons before the protest? Of course not. The uncomplicated, refreshing response Kjaer captures here is the most effective part of the film.
There are also a few pointed moments in which it's clear that freedom of speech, as presented by the West, isn't all it's cracked up to be. A pity we couldn't have made more of this element of the debate.
There also isn't a tremendous amount of new information. We know Muslim leaders were offended by the cartoons, so to see them condemning their content is hardly surprising. What is interesting is following Kjaer into Iran, where he sidesteps attempts to keep him in the capital and goes in search of an activist present at the messy Danish Embassy protests in Tehran. Had this man seen the cartoons before the protest? Of course not. The uncomplicated, refreshing response Kjaer captures here is the most effective part of the film.
There are also a few pointed moments in which it's clear that freedom of speech, as presented by the West, isn't all it's cracked up to be. A pity we couldn't have made more of this element of the debate.
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