Arab Democrats
Andrew Walworth and David C. Taylor, New River Media, Washington, D.C.; Phil Day, London; and Dr. Joshua Muravchik, AEI, Washington, D.C.
Arab Democrats will feature democratic activists and advocates operating in often hostile and dangerous environments in the Arab world. Through their personal stories, the program will follow a select group of activists working to promote democracy in their home countries and examine how United States and international policy affects their efforts.
The Arab Predicament
Zvi Dor Ner and Ben Loeterman, WGBH Educational Foundation, Boston
The Arab Predicament will examine Arab societies to better understand the forces that have stifled the economic growth in the Middle East and undermined people's quest for better life.
Democracy in Iran
Aviva Kempner, Ciesla Foundation, Washington, D.C.
Democracy in Iran will highlight the relationship between the people in and outside of Iran-especially the extraordinary support Iran's pro-democracy movement gets from expatriates living in the United States. These expatriates have circumvented the Iranian government's news blackout by beaming satellite reports of the outside world into Iranian homes and offices. These private efforts have become as vital as the official U.S. broadcasts in Iran's fight for freedom and democracy.
Danger Zone
Richard Carlson and Barbara Newman, Foundation For the Defense of Democracies and Tulip Hill Productions, Washington, D.C.
Danger Zone will explore intelligence and special operations efforts to fight terrorism in the United States and worldwide. Part one will offer an in-depth look at MI5 and how it works with US Intelligence and Special Forces, including covert private contractors. Part two will investigate Hezbollah's activities in about a dozen American cities.
Ex-Extremists
Charles Stuart, Stuart Television Productions, Concord, MA and WNPT, Nashville
Ex-Extremists is a journey into the dark and intriguing world of formerly militant Islamic extremists who have renounced violence and become advocates for reform. These individuals - part of an increasingly vocal minority-are participants in an active debate that is gaining increasing prominence in the Muslim world and beyond.
Feeling at Home in America
Alan and Susan Raymond, Video Vérité, Philadelphia
Feeling at Home in America will be a cinema verité profile of teenagers from a large Arab-American community that explores how the events of September 11th has changed their lives and their sense of identity as Americans.
Islam vs. Islamism
Martyn Burke, Frank Gaffney and Alex Alexiev, ABG Films Inc., Los Angeles
Islam vs. Islamism will explore how Islamic extremists are at war with their own faith, and how the consequences of their ambitions and policies devastate the socio-economic potential and well-being of the Muslim world. The filmmakers will follow the stories of several Muslims who have been victimized by the radicals and who are fighting back.
In the Eye of the Beholder: News Coverage of the Middle East
Diana Frank, Michelle Genece, Mindfire Productions, New York
In the Eye of the Beholder: News Coverage of the Middle East will follow two news teams -one from an Arab news channel, the other from a U.S. news organization-as they cover the same event. The film will illuminate how different international audiences hear and see very different accounts of world events.
Inside the American Empire with Robert Kaplan
WETA, Washington, D.C. and 3BM Productions, London
Inside the American Empire with Robert Kaplan will feature Atlantic Monthly correspondent Robert Kaplan as he travels with U.S. troops who are fighting the war on terror in ways and places unknown to many Americans. Kaplan will travel with the troops as they engage in small-scale, low-intensity conflicts that go largely unreported. He will show how the U.S. military has taken on new humanitarian and intelligence-gathering roles as part of the war on terror.
Invasion!
Timothy Smith and Brian Berger, Docere Palace Studios, LLP, New York, in association with Granada America, New York, and the Washington Post Company, Washington, D.C.
Invasion! will examine the art and strategy of military invasion and occupation by looking at historical and contemporary examples of successes and failures with emphasis on the strategies likely to be effective in a post-9/11 world.
Picture War
Stanley Nelson, Firelight Media Inc., New York
Picture War will explore the power of photography to influence public opinion and foreign policy in wartime as well as shape the historical memory of conflicts, including the war on terror. The film will explore how images have transformed the public's understanding of war, violence and patriotism, from Mathew Brady's Civil War photos to the present day.
Religion in U.S. Prisons
Ginny Durrin, Durrin Productions, Washington, D.C.
Religion in U.S. Prisons is a film about the growing allure of religion in U.S. prisons since the September 11th attacks. The film will explore how the war on terror has transformed the prison population, and how this affects inmates' behavior after they are released into the community.
The Road from Baghdad
David Fanning, WGBH, Boston and Martin Smith, Marcela Gavrina, Rain Media, New York
The Road from Baghdad will explore the chances for democracy throughout the Middle East. Two travelers-one who is optimistic about the chances for regime change, the other who is not-will visit people and places where reform has succeeded, or has proved impossible. In the process, the travelers will try to change each others' views, and those of the audience.
Spain's 9/11
David Alter and Phil Craig, Brook Lapping Productions, London and Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin, the Aspen Institute, Berlin
Spain's 9/11 will examine the two weeks following the train bombing in Madrid commonly referred to as "Spain's 9/11" as described by those closest to the action including former President Jose Aznar. The film will detail how the bombing caused some in Europe to reassess their relations with America, and revealed evidence of the terrorists wider aims.
Note: All titles are working titles.
Contact CPB
For questions about the Crossroads initiative, please send an e-mail to crossroads@cpb.org. Check this page for the latest updates and project status information.