A popular defense for portraying Muslims in such a way is that “it’s just a movie,” but this is underestimating the impact that movies have on Americans’ perception of Islam and Muslims. Rules of Engagement—among other films—may be “just” movies, but like other media outlets, they form the realities of our lives. 43 According to film historian Annette Insdorf, of all forms of art, “film is the one that gives the greatest illusion of authenticity, of truth.” 44 This is because, for many, it can be difficult to distinguish between a constructed reality and a pure, untainted reality.

Asena Karipek, Portrayals of Jihad, loc. 52