Arctic Muslims – Exploded in the media
The discussion whether or not the city of Tromsø (NO) should get a mosque and if so how, have exploded in the local and national media the last few weeks. In the middle of it all we find a documentary film crew, already knee deep in the subject.
John Arvid Berger of JAB Film
- We had already started laying the grounds for our project called Arctic Muslims (working title), a documentary film about integration and freedom of speech told from the inside of the Muslim community in Tromsø, explains John Arvid Berger of JAB Film.
– Then suddenly this very central issue about the mosque blew wide open in the local and subsequently national media.
The subject matter in the media coverage is whether or not the city of Tromsø should have a mosque; and if so, what kind and where will be located.
The plan is to make an hour-long TV documentary, with the Director Karl Emil Rikardsen and the photographer Håvard Jensen. The next year will be crucial regarding the international presentation of the project, pitching and achieving funding.
- Making a documentary for the international marked takes a lot of time and effort. Also, because of the media attention, we had to begin shooting much earlier than planned, says Berger.
The media coverage has been extensive; so far 6-7 front pages have been assigned this subject. And the situation gives the crew a whole new set of challenges to manoeuvre through.
- I am not surprised; this is an issue that a lot of people have an opinion on. We want to dig deep and tell a story from the core of the Muslim society here in the Arctic, says Berger. – Whilst doing so we also need to keep in mind that the eyes of the media are on the crew too, and watching closely.
See some of the media coverage here (in Norwegian)!
