Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Saudi Arabia's first female filmmaker on 'Mary Shelley'
In Saudi Arabia, women aren’t allowed to make major decisions alone. They can’t sign contracts or book travel. They must be covered in public. So imagine trying to direct movies.
By Madeleine Brand • • 47m ListenIn Saudi Arabia, women aren’t allowed to make major decisions alone. They can’t sign contracts or book travel. They must be covered in public. So imagine trying to direct movies. Haifaa Al-Mansour’s “Wadjda” was Saudi Arabia’s first submission for an Oscar. Her latest film is “Mary Shelley,” a biopic of the “Frankenstein” author.
Image of filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour at KCRW by Amy Ta.
In this episode
5 storiesThe race for the 45th House district and northern OC politics
The California primary election is Tuesday June 5. Democrats want to take over Congress this election cycle, and California Democrats are making a big push to do their part. They‘ve targeted a number of Republican-held seats.
Read the story8 minChina won't take our recyclables anymore, so what should we do about that milk jug?
China is not taking a lot of our garbage anymore, and that’s a big problem for recycling. This year, China banned different kinds of plastic and paper, and tightened standards for what it does accept.
Read the story8 minWhy Rwanda doesn't want your hand-me-downs
When we donate clothes to Goodwill, we think we’re recycling and being generous at the same time. Often, our old clothes end up in Africa because that’s where Goodwill has been sending them.
Read the story8 minHaifaa Al-Mansour: 'When I started making films in Saudi Arabia, people were laughing at me'
Haifaa Al-Mansour is the first Saudi woman to direct a film. Her movie "Wadjda” was Saudi Arabia’s first submission for an Oscar. Her latest work is "Mary Shelley," a biopic of the “Frankenstein” author.
Read the story14 minRussian journalist fakes his own assassination
Police had released a photo of Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko’s body, laying in a pool of blood with three gunshot wounds in his back. He was apparently assassinated in Ukraine.
Read the story8 min
