The Karate Kid Takes on Global Voices

A young Muslim Israeli is trapped between her passion for karate and religious tradition in Shadya, airing this Sunday on Global Voices on the WORLD Channel (check local listings).

Directed by Roy Westler, the film takes place in Northern Israel and profiles a 17-year-old charismatic karate champion. Shadya is a rare breed, a feminist in a male-dominated culture and a Muslim Arab living in Israel. As she grapples with the looming tension of an early marriage and her Palestinian identity, Shadya refuses to play by the rules of her traditional Muslim community. Check out the trailer for Shadya (after the jump) ahead of the broadcast this Sunday.

Shadya will premiere as part of the Global Voices series on the WORLD Channel, Sunday, July 29 at 10 p.m. (check local listings). Starting July 30, the documentary will be available to view in entirety online via PBS Video (for a limited time only).