Today the Orientalist figure of the Muslim female is being generalised all over the world, blurring the otherwise wide diversity of women originating from the Middle East and part of the Muslim...Show moreToday the Orientalist figure of the Muslim female is being generalised all over the world, blurring the otherwise wide diversity of women originating from the Middle East and part of the Muslim faith. Shirin Neshat's "Turbulent" encourages such a confusion, taking place in most Western art and academic circles. The discourses upholding the image portrayed in the artwork are part of a social myth that could be overcome. Therefore, this study opens with a contextualization of Shirin Neshat and of her work. Subsequently, it sets out to establish a theoretical background for the myth and the way it can be applied to the present situation in the Middle East. Finally, to demonstrate that this short film, "Turbulent" can overcome existing myths about the ‘Oriental’ woman, it will present an semiotic analysis and propose an alternative reading.Show less