Rafea: Solar Mama Explained

Rafea: Solar Mama
Producer:Mette Heide
Music:Jonas Colstrup
Cinematography:Mona Eldaief
Distributor:PBS
Runtime:75 minutes
Country:United States

Rafea: Solar Mama is an 2012 American documentary film, directed by Jehane Noujaim and Mona Eldaief. It follows Rafea, an illiterate Jordanian Bedouin as she follows her aspirations of lighting up her village by harnessing the power of solar energy by enrolling in the Barefoot College solar program in India.

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2012. It was released on November 5, 2012, by PBS, as part of the Why Poverty? project.

Synopsis

The documentary depicts the trials and tribulations faced by Rafea, an illiterate Jordanian Bedouin as she follows her aspirations of lighting up her village by harnessing the power of solar energy by enrolling in the Barefoot College solar program in India. The story takes the viewer through Rafea's and her neighbour's physical and emotional journey before she triumphs.[1] [2]

Following the release of the film, Eldaief stated Rafea and her aunt installed 80 solar panels in one week and Rafea's determination remains unshaken in spite of personal and financial burdens.[3]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2012.[4] It was released on November 5, 2012, by PBS.[5] [6] The film went onto screen at DOC NYC on November 12, 2012, where the film won the Special Jury Prize and Audience Award,[7] [8] [9] The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam on November 19, 2012, where the film won the Oxfam Novib audience award.[10] [11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. News: TV review: Solar Mamas; Homeland. The Guardian.
  2. Web site: Filmmakers.
  3. Web site: Amid Setbacks, The Solar Mamas Are Undeterred. .
  4. Web site: Rafea: Solar Mama. Human Rights Foundation. November 26, 2020.
  5. Web site: Visit the Barefoot College in a new film from TED Prize winner Jehane Noujaim. Ted. Kate. Torgovnick May. November 1, 2012. November 26, 2020.
  6. Web site: Solar Mamas. IVTS. November 26, 2020.
  7. Web site: RAFEA: A SOLAR ENGINEER BLOSSOMS IN THE DESERT. DOC NYC. November 12, 2012. November 26, 2020.
  8. Web site: Rafea: Solar Mama. DOC NYC. November 26, 2020.
  9. Web site: DOC NYC Fest Announces Audience and Jury Awards; Winners Include 'Informant' & 'Rafea: Solar Mama. IndieWire. Beth. Hanna. November 16, 2012. November 26, 2020.
  10. Web site: Rafea: Solar Mama.
  11. Web site: Rafea: Solar Mama. International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam. November 26, 2020.
  12. Web site: IDFA Special 19-20 November 2012. International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam. November 26, 2020.