The figure of the radicalized girl in Francophone and other European cinemas

This article is based on a comparative study of four films produced and directed in Europe (Belgium, France, Netherland) in 2016, using the figure of the radicalized girl as a signifier of fear in Western democracies. The threat of terrorism is embodied by the conversion of the girl to fundamentalist Islam, a path that signifies both the power of ISIS within the Western world and the fragility of democracies to protect their youth. The films fill in a narrative blank as studies revealed an increasing number of girls joining the jihad in 2016, whereas most parents testified that they had been unaware of their children's radicalization. The films therefore partake in an effort to educate parents and audience to recognize early signs of radicalization. It is noteworthy that the figure of the girl is used as a signifier of the push and pull process of radicalization, suggesting that she symbolizes the failure of Western democracies to protect their youth from the power of ISIS propaganda. The figure of the radicalized girl complicates the Orientalist perception of the Other, articulating a self-reflexive look at media discourses of the war on terror.

Automated summary

This article focuses on a comparative study of four European films released in 2016 from Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. It explores the portrayal of the radicalized girl as a symbol of fear in Western democracies and the threat of terrorism. These films aim to educate parents and audiences about early signs of radicalization and challenge Orientalist perceptions of the Other.