Inside The Middle East
SHOW #51
Hosted by Hala Gorani from various Mideast cities while following Bush tour
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
U.S. President George W. Bush's recent six-nation tour of the Middle East was the first of its kind since he took office. The trip included his first visit as U.S. president to Israel and the Palestinian territories. Along for the ride were hundreds of journalists from around the world. Hala Gorani was one of those reporters, criss-crossing the region from Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in a little over a week. She brings us the story-behind-the story -- a glimpse at the media coverage surrounding President Bush's visit, and talk with locals who shared their thoughts on the presidential tour.
TO WIN: STAY SILENT
The season for film festivals in the Middle East is well underway. Egyptian director and screenwriter Ihab Lamey walks the red carpet at the Cairo International Film Festival, unsure how his fourth feature film will be received. The abstract drama centers around four young adults competing in an unusual reality tv show. The cash prize goes to the contestant who can stay silent for an entire month. The house is monitored with cameras rolling twenty-four hours a day, under the vigilante eyes of a manipulative producer. Lamey says his film addresses what he calls "the culture of silence" in Arab society. Schams Elwazer reports from Cairo.
FEARLESS FEMALE SAUDI JOURNALIST
Twenty-nine year old journalist Ebithal Mubarak has only been a reporter for three years, and is already making a name for herself. She is taking on stories no one else dares, springing to international attention late last year after she campaigned about the injustice of the gang rape of a Saudi woman. Mubarak's co-workers consider her brave; her reporting helped get the rape victim pardoned from a jail sentence and lashes. Mubarak's bold stand puts her at odds with the Kingdom's conservatives. Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson reports on her bold mission.
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