Orientalism in Outer-space

The Ascendancy of Sanskrit Mantras in Hollywood Science Fiction Films and Soundtracks

Authors

  • Scott Daniel Dunbar University of Saskatchewan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jasr.v21i3.366

Keywords:

Orientalism, Science Fiction, Sanskrit

Abstract

Several Hollywood science fiction films have recently appropriated Sanskrit mantras as a prominent feature in their musical soundtracks. Notably, Hollywood’s use of ‘SF Sanskrit’ tends to evoke a sense of militancy and war rather than tranquillity and peace, which has resounding Orientalist connotations. Nevertheless, it will be shown that the correlation between mantras and warfare actually has historical precursors within the Hindu tradition. To advance this thesis, two case studies are examined: (1) The Matrix Revolutions and (2) Star Wars Episode I—The Phantom Menace. It will be shown that each of these films presents mantras in cinematic contexts evoking militancy and war. Such positioning of Sanskrit in belligerent film space, however, raises interesting questions about evolving Orientalist stereotypes in popular culture: Why is Sanskrit associated with war in the SF industry? Is Hollywood’s appropriation of Hindu mantras a new ‘fad’ to market SF in ‘exotic’ Indian packaging or an effort to ‘spiritualise’ the genre? What does Hollywood’s use of Sanskrit tell us about emerging views of Hinduism in modern SF films, and about shifting views of the ‘Orient’ in popular culture?

Author Biography

  • Scott Daniel Dunbar, University of Saskatchewan
    Scott Daniel Dunbar teaches courses on World Religions, Hinduism and Indian Philosophy at the University of Saskatchewan and St Peter’s College, Canada. His primary research areas include Religious Conflict and Cooperation, Just-War Theory in Hinduism, Interfaith Dialogue and Interreligious Relations. Dunbar has published a number of encyclopedia articles and papers in academic journals on religious themes and topics. He recently served as the Religion Editor of an on-line encyclopedia, and is currently working on a monograph titled, Dharma Yuddha (Righteous War) in Hinduism. Dunbar is also a fan of Science Fiction films leading to his article in this special issue.

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Filmography

Blade Runner (1982, dir. Ridley Scott)

Bulletproof Monk (2003, dir. Paul Hunter)

Dune (1984, dir. David Lynch)

Eyes Wide Shut (1999, dir. Stanley Kubrick)

The Matrix (1999, dir. Andy and Larry Wachowski)

The Matrix Reloaded (2003, dir. Andy and Larry Wachowski)

The Matrix Revolutions (2003, dir. Andy and Larry Wachowski)

Star Wars (a.k.a. Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope) (1977, dir. George Lucas)

Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace (1999, dir. George Lucas)

Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith (2005, dir. George Lucas)

Published

2009-03-05

How to Cite

Dunbar, S. D. (2009). Orientalism in Outer-space: The Ascendancy of Sanskrit Mantras in Hollywood Science Fiction Films and Soundtracks. Journal for the Academic Study of Religion, 21(3), 366-385. https://doi.org/10.1558/jasr.v21i3.366