Since November 2007 it is known that the far right wing politician Geert Wilders has a plan for an anti-Koran film. The film with the name Fitna will probably be launched on the internet before the first of April 2008.
The Freedom Party (PVV) leader cannot yet give an exact date. “As soon as everything is ready, I’ll let you know,” Wilders lately sated. Wilders plans to release the movie attacking Islam and the Koran despite complaints from religious groups and warnings it could provoke violent protests around the world.
Wilders said last November that the 15-minute film would show that the Koran is a “fascist book”, a claim which has already drawn complaints from several Muslim countries including Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Iran and Afghanistan.
Dutch officials have unsuccessfully urged Geert Wilders to drop the project, fearing a repeat of the violent protests that erupted after European newspapers published cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammed.
A crew from the Scottish BBC program Eòrpa is visiting the Netherlands to produce a background reportage about the anti-Muslim film Wilders is producing.
For the filming the Scottish BBC crew is making a tour along involved people and organisations: they film and interview protesters handing out flyers for an anti-racism demonstration on a multi ethnic market, portray young liberals that stand for the freedom of speech, interview the chairman of the Dutch Muslim board, a representative from a military union -stating on the possible effects on the Dutch mission in Afghanistan- and a young Muslim MP from the Green Left party. A variety of Dutch citizens gives their views about the plan to launch the controversial film.
For this background reportage Featurez gave advice, did the research, set-up and planning, booked a rental van, did the driving, accompanied the filming, did the interviews and translations, and organised archive footage.