Satellite Queens

Documentary, 60 min, The Netherlands 2007
Friday, October 10th, 22:00 hrs, 

Director: Bregtje van der Haak Script: Bregtje van der Haak Photography: Maasja Ooms, Editors: Alexander Oey, Katharina Wartena, Music: Michel Banabila, Sound: Benny Jansen, Rick Meier, Producers: Bruno Felix,  Femke Wolting, Production: Submarine in co-production with VPRO/PBS/RTBF


Distribution:
Films Transit International Inc.
252 Gouin Boulevard East
H3L 1A8 Montréal, Québec
Kanada
Tel: +1 514 844 33 58
Fax: +1 514 844 72 98
office(at)filmtransit.com
www.filmtransit.com

First Broadcast: Januar 2008 VPRO

Selected Filmography- Bregtje van der Haak- Director:
Small, Medium, Large, 1997; DNW, 1998; Lagos/Koolhaas, 2002; Bonanza: Documenta 11, 2002; Tegenlicht, 2002

Homosexuality, masturbation, and terrorism are the subjects that boost the ratings of the MBC talk show – nothing unusual, one might think. Quite the contrary: MBC is based in Dubai, broadcasts into the entire Arab world, and four women host its „Kalam Nawaem“ program. "Satellite Queens" is a look behind the scenes of the hit format boasting up to 200 million viewers, and introduces the four hosts: Palestinian Farah, Rania from Lebanon, Fawzia from Egypt, and single mother Muna from Saudi Arabia. In her documentary, Dutch director Bregtje van der Haak shows the liberating influence of satellite television in the Arab region, and at the same time shakes Western conceptions of backward Muslim societies.