by Elco B
Sat Mar 22nd, 2008 at 08:32:18 AM EST
Geert Wilders: riding the hype.
He is one of the best-known Dutch politicians. His views about Islam have offended Muslims and non-Muslims alike, within the Netherlands and around the world. He's the most famous bleach-blond since Marilyn Monroe. And he's about to release a highly controversial anti-Islam film, called Fitna, or "Ordeal" in Arabic.
About Fitna, the Netherlands and Wilders (see 10min.film below)
Very rarely has a film sparked off as much pre-release controversy as Dutch MP Geert Wilder's `Fitna,the movie'. Even without knowing what's in it, 'Fitna' has got the world asking questions. Questions about the man who made it and his motives, about the country he lives in where his film is allowed. Questions about that country's government - which issues warnings about the film but does nothing to stop it. And questions about the position of Muslims in The Netherlands. The central character in this film is also struggling with these questions, and decides to travel to The Netherlands in search of answers.
Dutch cabinet gravely worried about Wilders film - Radio Netherlands Worldwide - English
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende says he's "gravely concerned" about the consequences of the yet-to-be-broadcast anti-Qur'an film being produced by right wing politician Geert Wilders.
The Dutch cabinet discussed the repercussions of the film at length during their weekly meeting. The cabinet clearly wants to get a message of tolerance and moderation out before the film is released.
Dutch cabinet gravely worried about Wilders film - Radio Netherlands Worldwide - English
In reaction to the Prime Minister, Mr Wilders said "The cabinet is capitulating to Islam. I will never, ever do so." Earlier in the week, in an unusual move, Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen called on Mr Wilders not to broadcast the film. Mr Wilders was even stronger in his response to the Foreign Minister, telling him to "stuff it".
Mr Wilders is the leader of the populist Freedom Party, the fifth largest party in the Dutch parliament. He has long been making headlines with his claims that Islam's holy book of is fascist, and should be banned. His film, which is said now to be finished, has been creating controversy in the Netherlands and abroad since the plan to make it became known in early December. The film is fifteen minutes long, and is called Fitna, Arabic for trial or ordeal.
VOA News - Afghans Protest Danish Cartoons of Prophet, Dutch Film on Koran
21 March 2008 - Thousands of demonstrators have burned Danish and Dutch flags in the Afghan capital in the latest protests against cartoons and a film considered insulting to Islam.
Angry protesters gathered in Kabul after Friday prayers to demand that Danish and Dutch troops withdraw from Afghanistan and that their embassies be shut down.
They also burned an effigy of a Dutch filmmaker, who is due to release a film said to be critical of the Koran.
Very rarely has a film sparked off as much pre-release controversy as Dutch MP Geert Wilder's 'Fitna,the movie'.
Even without knowing what's in it, 'Fitna' has got the world asking questions. Questions about the man who made it and his motives, about the country he lives in where his film is allowed. Questions about that country's government -- which issues warnings about the film but does nothing to stop it. And questions about the position of Muslims in The Netherlands.
The central character in this film is also struggling with these questions, and decides to travel to The Netherlands in search of answers.
