The Merchants of Cool
Friday, July 5, 11:00 AM
They spend their days sifting through reams of market research data. They conduct endless surveys and focus groups. They comb the streets, the schools, and the malls, hot on the trail of the "next big thing" that will snare the attention of their prey--a market segment worth an estimated $150 billion a year. They are the merchants of cool: creators and sellers of popular culture who have made teenagers the hottest consumer demographic in America. But are they simply reflecting teen desires or have they begun to manufacture those desires in a bid to secure this lucrative market? And have they gone too far in their attempts to reach the hearts--and wallets--of America's youth? FRONTLINE correspondent Douglas Rushkoff examines the tactics, techniques, and cultural ramifications of these marketing moguls in "The Merchants of Cool." Produced by Barak Goodman and Rachel Dretzin, the program talks with top marketers, media executives and cultural/media critics, and explores the symbiotic relationship between the media and today's teens, as each looks to the other for their identity. (60 minutes)

Under One Sky: Arab Women in North America Talk about the Hijab
Thursday, July 4, 11:00 AM
Is the hijab—the veil associated with Muslim women—a symbol of oppression, an emblem of cultural identity, a combination of these two elements, or something else altogether? Set against a backdrop of Madison Avenue ads and Hollywood movies that alternately romanticize and demonize the Middle Eastern woman, this program presents the history of Arab womanhood, from the days of the early colonial missions to the post-Gulf War era. Informed and articulate Arab women living in North America passionately elucidate the ideologies behind the veil, as they tear away the labels imposed by both East and West. (44 minutes)

Shroud of Silence
Thursday, July 4, 11:00 AM
This powerful 15 minute documentary narrated by Marlo Thomas chronicles the everyday struggle that is life for women under the Taliban regime's brutal system of gender apartheid. With actual footage of the current situation in Afghanistan, this video is a must-see for those interested in mobilizing support for ending gender apartheid in Afghanistan.

Reviving Ophelia
Saturday, July 6, 11:00 AM
In this exclusive, illustrated video, Mary Pipher, Ph.D., discusses the challenges facing today's teenagers, especially girls, as well as the role of media and popular culture in shaping their identities. She offers concrete ideas for girls and boys, families, teachers, and schools to help girls free themselves from the toxic influences of today's media-saturated culture. Reviving Ophelia is one of the most talked about books in America. This video presentation brings together ideas from Pipher's books and from her clinical practice in a highly accessible format.