True Life, the MTV documentary series that tracks late teens and 20-somethings as they deal with life's serious issues and challenging transitions -- newlywed life, sexuality, gambling addictions, imprisoned parents, self image and chronic disease or disability, for example -- makes an unusual journey to the Middle East with Resist The Power! Saudi Arabia.
The episode is a departure from the others in the series not only in its foreign location. Resist The Power! Saudi Arabia actually has a broader perspective that gives the episode (which runs for 90 minutes instead of the usual hour) broader appeal, engaging the interests of audiences of all ages and personal preoccupations.
In the film, directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, whose remarkably restrained observational style brought them huge acclaim and an Oscar-nomination for (Jesus Camp, 2006), interweave the stories of several Muslim young adults who are trying to realize their personal dreams and ambitions within the restrictive framework of the Saudi Arabian government and Islamic law.
Most surprising among the cast, is the lovely Fatima, age 20, who advocates for women to be treated equally and, as a way to effect change, wears colored abayahs (cover ups), which she designs, manufactures and sells to other women who are brave enough to break with the male-imposed tradition of wearing conservative, politically correct black. There is also the heavy metal rock group (reminiscent of the guys in Heavy Metal in Baghdad) who can't find a local venue where they can play and dream of going abroad to perform, and a love sick young man who thinks he's met his life's partner on line but can't find a way to see her in person, and the politically estute pacifist activist who patiently lobbies the male-only Jeddah civic government to allow women to attend council meetings. All of the characters are appealing and their plights understandable. Futhermore, they are all well-to-do, well-educated and have the potential to influence the social and political realities of Saudi Arabia. Someday. Maybe.
As it's title suggests, Resist the Power! Saudi Arabia has an underlying political theme that's of tremendous interest. Making no mention of the obvious international intrigue and political tensions in the Middle East, Ewing and Grady let their characters' stories lead you to contemplate the film's political message and arrive at your own point of view. Whatever that might be, it should be clear to all that these Saudi 20-somethings, like 20-somethings everywhere and of all ethnicities, represent humanity's future. Their aspirations for equality of the sexes and freedom of expression, and the carefully considered and moderate paths by which they hope to achieve them, are admirable. Resist the Power! breaks a lot of stereotypes and opens the door for social debate and enhanced cross-cultural understanding.
Resist the Power! Saudi Arabia premieres on MTV on Monday, May 24, with several subsequent broadcasts and online streaming at MTV.com.
(PHOTO: 'Resist The Power! Saudi Arabia' Poster Art. Courtesy Loki Films/MTV).
Comments
Saudi people must be proud to have islamic law in their country if it was where i live i wud have been proud of it, its pathetic to see saudi women think that they dont have the right n wanna be equal to man, Is roamin around without unveil is right? is datin wit guy openly is right? or to drive a car is right? and many more to mention. this is all fitnah dear brothers and sister, they appear to be a great culture but the reality is its worst culture. is there more beautiful living as the life of Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh) and his wives and companions? If u cud only realise how lucky you are (Saudi citizens) u wud have never claimed! May Allah swt Guide us all and grant us a firm faith.
There are persistent efforts to capture the elements of falling in our society, and made it to be (mechanism in) change, a social and ethical firm, it is (Instant) Western culture, that you think they are the best and most beautiful.
Poor those who are picked up by the Western media, from the back streets .. Them to make them pioneers marching garbage Western societies, and a dump site for waste civilian .. Has continued to vomit feces
Religion should never be a part of government. Iran and Saudi Arabia are perfect examples of religious oppression. We are all living in a modern age of technology. It’s not good to be materialistic, which I agree, but keeping women covered is wrong. Religions have a good set of ethics, but people take it too far, and eventually radicalize simple ideas, and create irrational ways of life with them. Saudi Arabia has so much potential and their large youth population should carry forth the responsibility to show the world the future, outside of religious (Islamic) law. Separation of religion and state is always a must.
I am so proud of this Saudi generation!!!! As a Westerner, I think we take for granted basic rights that people still has to fight for elsewhere. Like people listening to the music they like. Expressing their ideas, communicating freely with each other. Women having the same rights just because, well, they are human; rational, practical, political human beings. People who express love to each other in a sweet, gentle manner. People fighting to keep the most basic rights humankind has on earth. I loved this documentary. Exquisite. Poised. Relevant. GO SAUDI ARABIA!!!
To Fatma, I would like to see where is says in the Qura’n that women are not allowed to speak with men or drive. The prophet, peace be upon him, was well known at the time to promote gender equality with his wives being his councel. Remember that which is not haram in the texts are allowed.
This documentary was unfortunate in that it only featured young people that say things that Americans expect young Saudis to say (i.e the desire for “personal” freedom and the ability to do whatever they want). I know several young (both men and women) Saudis who mostly support the conservative way things are in Saudi. The documentary was unfair in showing just viewpoints that are critical of Saudi policies when in fact many young Saudis support conservative policies.
As the co-director of this documentary, I can say we are very pleased with the response so far. We feel that our subjects go a long way to humanize and make more accessible a country that is unknown to most of us. I am grateful that those we profiled in the film- all proud Saudis – shared with MTV audiences their hopes, dreams, and yes, some frustrations, with their lives in KSA. While no film can ever capture all the nuances of a country and its people, we hope this film provokes a viivd dialogue among Saudi teens and those in the West, because, as this film shows, we really, at heart, are all the same.
Heidi , you have no idea how the situation well increase in the up coming weeks here in saudi arabia , Aziz is currently facing a national rage while the internet based press is spreading the news of a preparation of a Lawsuit against him , and guess what the saudi low system is not the same as yours back in USA
there is so many points which were misleading in the video as well , check the link for more details
Student, i didnt mean to talk with opposit sex is haraam, but what they claim for is to be free like the western to make illegal relationships n so on which Allah swt forbidded it, and about drivin for them it will cause fitnah because of their religios laws. I hope I’am clear now. and Alex, well our religious law fits with every age and generation weather in stone age or this age of technology, its just they are brainwashed by the west.
mmmm am not totaly agree with u guyz
aziz is wrongg am not agree with him
fatma and ahmed gd luke
rocker mmmm no comment
but i hope we think in more important things. lets change the bad things and make it good we r not wrong but we can be better when we follow our Religion in right way with out Rigorism and Indulgence in religion
ahmed from jeddah
They are not real Saudin are naturalized come to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia and stayed here they came habits are the habits of the country and its traditions, I hope to pay attention to and learn habits of the country are a very few reproduce in the city of Jeddah in western Saudi Arabia
We in the Kingdom do not agree with them
I think that the young people on this show were so very brave! Many people say that the show was biased because they did not show the opposite side, but true life is about showing young people who are doing courageous, strange, interesting, and sometimes inspiring things. There is nothing courageous about conforming to tradition because there is no danger that the government may punish you for simply expressing your thoughts. After watching the show I don’t suddenly think that Saudi Arabia is a horrible place, I’m sure there are many nice things about the country. But, like every country there are issues and things that need to be addressed. I really hope that these young people are not punished because that would only create a negative opinion of the country in many peoples’ eyes. I would also like to say that the real issue this show brought up is one of rights. It is not a question of absolute freedom or repression, but of what people should be allowed to do, a question of the rights the citizens have, don’t have, and should have. We may not all be able to agree on whether woman should cover their bodies or whether religion and government should be intertwined, but I think we can agree that all humans should have the right to express the themselves whether that is through music, fashion, politics, or love! Rights, that is the real issue.
I’m from Vermont USA, but I live in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this year. There are many young Saudis of both perspectives.. some somewhat conservative, and many very questioning of the basis of the ‘rules’ here.
Much of what is “law” here is really custom. There are many photos of women in colored abayas in 1980-1990. Only after the first Gulf War and the culturally amazing sights of blonde women in army trousers driving huge trucks in Saudi did the religious/political backlash start up.
Saudi women were getting the wrong idea. Like things could actually be different and women could decide things.
Still, it’s THEIR country and they get to decide.
I really object to them trying to require THEIR laws and customs be applied in other countries like the US. I do not want the US Constitution weakened by threats from abroad that try to impose their laws and customs on the USA.
I have to accept that Saudi decides in Saudi. My wife, who had a commercial drivers license in USA, is not allowed to drive. She has to wear a black Abaya in public. But I can drive, and wear anything I want. Hey, I have a “Y” Chromosome, and that’s as good as a license for whatever I want…
I’ve lived in the USA for 60 years, and now a few years in Africa, China and now the Middle East. Everywhere young people are questioning authority. And that’s the way it should be.
I just have a few questions for Saudis about life in Saudi Arabia.
1. Why can’t women vote in elections?
2. Why can’t women drive in cars by themselves?
3. Why aren’t women allowed in masjids?(Or are they, I don’t know)
4. Is Saudi Arabia a democracy?
5 Should Saudi Arabia be a democracy?
6. What does Islam say about democracy?
Thanks
^_^ you’ve made one thing … you’ve put the islamic picture down ..!! that’s it ..
there’re lots of ways to talk about what you want, you should first “read” in your religion to see weather what you have done is wrong or right ..!!
thousands of topics you’ve talked about it just 0.03% of them could be right the rest are just FITNA and I hope Saudi goverment to give the worst punishment as they can ^_^ ..
with that stupid lover ..
Fawaz From Jeddah ^_^