About this project

Radio Infitada will be the first film by two women filmmakers to document the daily struggle of two rural Jordanian women who, in the face of all odds, continue to produce and broadcast a groundbreaking radio program. This will also be the first film to expose and examine the underbelly of media censorship in Jordan. At a time when then Middle East and the Western world are in a state of tragic disharmony it is important to humanize and highlight the struggle and perseverance of the many who stand up against corruption and inequality. Radio Intifada seeks to melt away the common misconception of Muslim women as a voiceless, inactive and lost minority in a male-dominated society by telling the story of two women who are living proof of this quiet revolution. This film aims to recognize and foster an attitude of respect for women in the Middle East who make risky efforts and commitments to promote gender-equality and the autonomy of women in these patriarchal, male dominated societies.

24 year old Munira and 25 year old Asma are radio revolutionaries. Despite being denied government permission to run an all-women radio station in the Jordan Valley—a rural, tribal dominated, and neglected region in Jordan—they have managed to get on air with five broadcasts every week for three years, being the only women in Jordan to have a socially and politically conscious radio program. Radio Intifada tells their story. Women in Jordan, many of which live in rural and impoverished areas, are faced with daily hardships and gendered barriers that are foreign to much of the Western world. Despite these setbacks however, there are women that refuse to remain silent, refuse to accept gender stereotypes, and refuse to abide by traditional patriarchal standards despite criticism and backlash from government officials and the people of their community. Our documentary will tell the story of these countless women, too.

"We are in terrible need for a voice to express our feelings as girls living in a community ruled by old customs and traditions that sometimes hinder a girl's ambitions." – Anwar, a young girl and listener from the Jordan Valley.

“At first there were men who refused to be interviewed by us and didn’t take us seriously. They would say, ‘You are women’ and laugh in our faces.”- Munira al-Shatti

Because we are trying to make this film independently, we are currently trying to raise money to cover some of our debt as a result of the basic costs of shooting overseas. We have been sponsored by a local Jordanian non-profit media network who has gifted us the necessary camera equipment to shoot the film. The remaining costs include sound equipment, a production vehicle and driver, translators and transcribers, editing and other post production necessities (music, composers, subtitles, etc) as well as any other unforeseeable expenses. We have the basic costs of filming under control due to the amazing support of CMN and our friends and family. We have been able to purchase airfare and accommodation for the 7 weeks of shooting starting December 9th, 2009. Our project is unique in that we have raised enough to get us to Jordan, we just need the money to complete and enter into post production once the footage is shot.

To learn more about us, the filmmakers, the cause or to contact us directly via e-mail, check out our website: www.radiointifadathemovie.bbnow.org