Of Fatwas and Beauty Queens 2004
Distributed by Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016; 202-808-4980
Produced by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Directed by Carol Off
DVD, color, 48 min.
Sr. High - Adult
African Studies, Journalism, Popular Culture, Women's Studies
Date Entered: 04/09/2008
Reviewed by Martha Kelehan, Binghamton UniversityThis excellent film explores issues of freedom of speech and exile through the case of the young Nigerian journalist Isioma Daniel. In 2002, she wrote what she meant to be a light, humorous look at the Miss World competition, hosted at that time in Nigeria, for a major Nigerian newspaper ThisDay. After reading her remarks about the Prophet Muhammad in the newspaper, imams in northern Nigeria incited riots, resulting in the deaths of more than 200 people. She fled the country into Benin, whereupon she learned that a fatwa was issued against her life. International human rights activists arranged for Daniel to go into exile in Norway.
The film brings together interviews with several players in order to provide a more nuanced look at the story of Isioma Daniel, including Salman Rushdie, the former Miss Canada, Lynsey Bennett, activist Ken Wiwa, Vanity Fair journalist Judy Bachrach, and Daniel herself.
The documentary has strong production values and is briskly edited to keep the story moving forward. The film could be a starting point for further discussions of such diverse topics as the role of beauty pageants in contemporary society, Islam in Africa, religious extremism, censorship in journalism and literature, the different challenges facing young women from around the world, and the pains of exile.
Highly recommended for high school and college classes studying topics related to Islam, Africa, gender, journalism, and exile.