Question 6

6. The American Express advertisement starring Conan features traditional India rather than modern India. The video shows Conan running around a town in India searching for a specific piece of fabric. Through his journey he encounters several other natives. The commercial represents India in a modern and stereotypical manner. Conan is shown riding an elephant, speaking Hindi to the natives while English is their second language, the natives are all seen wearing bright hijabs and gowns, the music in the background is something you would hear in Disney’s Aladin, and all of the natives seem to have a fantastic relationship with Conan. The commercial also portrays the natives as being, less important than Conan.They cater to his every need and praise him as he rides in on an elephant dressed in all white (representative of Jesus arriving in Jerusalem).