“STAND UP FOR MADINAH” follows the first female Muslim legislator in Delaware as she challenges the Biden administration on the ongoing war in Gaza. When she is not confronting the establishment, Madinah is spending time at comedy clubs trying her luck to find success as a local stand up comedian.
SYNOPSIS
Madinah Wilson-Anton, a Black Muslim hijabi Delaware State Representative for the most ethnically and racially diverse neighborhood in the state, is known for her passionate politics and biting humor. When she's not advocating for her community as a politician, she's shaping perceptions of it in her other role -- as a standup comedian.
“STAND UP FOR MADINAH” is a short documentary exploring Madinah's two roles. The film showcases her comedy, where she uses humor to navigate her identity as a Black Muslim woman in the U.S. It highlights bold actions that raise her national profile, like publicly advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and staging a hunger strike outside the White House, but also subject her to online trolling and criticism. And through intimate interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the film delves into what her choices say about how Black and brown women can use their voices in today's America, and the challenges progressive politicians face from the country's political divisions. As the 2024 elections approach, the film shows Madinah grappling with a crucial question: In today's political climate, can she successfully fulfill her roles as a lawmaker and a comedian, or will she be compelled to pick one over the other?
Director Statement
As the atrocities started unfolding in Gaza since October, I found myself grappling with a sense of guilt for not utilizing my skills to amplify the voices of Palestinians. Growing up in Saudi Arabia and spending a significant portion of my life in Qatar, I have witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by Palestinians living under occupation. I have seen colleagues lose their families in previous conflicts, further deepening my connection to their plight. It was during this time of reflection that I came across Madinah's viral video from Vice President Kamala Harris' holiday party demanding for a ceasefire in Gaza.
I am drawn to Madinah’s unwavering commitment to her values, particularly in today's turbulent political climate. In many ways, I see myself reflected in Madinah's dedication to uplifting marginalized voices and proudly embracing her identity. I am tired of witnessing the suffering and dehumanization of Palestinians in our mainstream media and by our politicians. As a nation, we have lost our moral compass when it comes to Gaza. So, to me, people like Madinah are a glimmer of hope who are taking risks to speak out against the Biden administration and its genocidal policies. Why is it taking so long for us to convince our government that killing civilians is unacceptable?\
Supporter Statement
"We are excited to learn an artist such as Zainab Sultan is producing this documentary at a time when we need to showcase the stories of community organizers and politicians such as Rep. Madinah to not only dispel the tropes about American Muslim women but also emphasize in our communities a vision of politics rooted in communities – we feel Rep. Madinah’s story wonderfully captures both of these aspects."
— CAIR Philadelphia
"Our mission and history supports and complements the work and vision of Zainab’s film as she explores what it is like to be Black and Muslim while running for public office. The themes of systematic racism, religious intolerance and sexism that will be interrogated are of great interest to Scribe. Scribe has a project entitled Muslim Voices that looks at the rich history of Black Muslims in the region. Zainab’s film will complement the short documentaries Scribe has produced."
—Scribe Video Center
ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)
Director Zainab Sultan
Zainab Sultan is an award-winning journalist, filmmaker and an impact producer. She was raised in Saudi Arabia and spent several years working as a journalist in Doha, Qatar where she developed a passion for storytelling. Most recently, she was the Outreach and Impact Manager of Academy nominated documentary, To Kill a Tiger. Her short film, "Worthy of Love," earned her a Goldziher award for excellence in covering American Muslim issues.
Zainab has also worked as an assistant producer on features and with film festivals such as DOC NYC managing their programmatic initiatives. She is also on the steering committee of Bitchitra Collective: Indian women in Documentary, an organization advocating for the collective rights of women and non-binary filmmakers of Indian origin in US and India. Her work at Bitchitra and at DOC NYC managing the 40 Under 40 initiative has been focused on diversifying filmmaking spaces. She is also a proud member of BGDM, A-doc, GIPA and D-word.
Zainab's writing has been featured in Columbia Journalism Review, Al Jazeera English, U.S. News, Deutsche Welle, Mic, The Hindu, TRT World and others. She is a graduate of the documentary program at Columbia University and lives in New Jersey with her husband and two kids.
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