Diasporic consciousness' and national identity : a comparative study of Asal Eswed (black honey)‎ and new York movies

Abstract EN

Many debates surround the meaning of the term 'diaspora' that appeared in Post-colonial studies.

This paper, however, goes with Steven Vertovec's (1999) concept of Diaspora as a kind of 'Consciousness.

' It argues that such 'Diasporic Consciousness' has a role in determining or undermining the individual's national identity (ies).

Through a comparative analysis of Khaled Marei's Egyptian movie Asal Eswed (or Black Honey) (2010) and Kabir Khan's Indian movie New York (2009), the paper explores the suitability of Vertovec's concept on the diasporas found in these movies in spite of the different nations or cultures in which this 'Diasporic Consciousness' is produced or reproduced, and its impact on shaping or reshaping their national identity (ies).