At first, Brussels wasn’t what I expected …
My first impression of Brussels was that it was very quiet. I had arrived on a Monday morning, the second week of February, and the streets were void of activity. Aside from the construction happening around the St. Catherine area, the vicinity of my assigned hotel, there were hardly any pedestrians. Definitely no visible tourists, besides myself.
A bleak and cold Monday morning in St. Catherine district, Brussels
As I arrived at a cafe called Woodpeckers for breakfast just past 10am, I found myself checking to see if Google had the opening times correct. The outdoor tables were empty and glancing into the windows, the indoor tables weren’t much better.
It was cold, only seven degrees that morning, a chill cutting the air like a sharpened butcher's knife through a prime cut. Perhaps that explained the vacant streets. Perhaps I was too used to central Zagreb. A bit of icy cold doesn’t stop the Croatians from gathering outside with a hot cappuccino and a freshly lit cigarette sturdily placed between two fingers.
The ironic thing about this calm welcome is that I was here to make some noise. The activist group I found myself a part of would fly in from Malta tomorrow and the aim was to really stir things up in the European Parliament and on the streets.
This quiet Monday morning gave me plenty of time to sit and contemplate the magnitude of what I was soon to become involved in.
The power of documentaries
Our Maltese documentary, No Woman is an Island, features candid conversations with five influential female trailblazers on the island, some who are artists, all of whom are driving positive change for women within the country. My aim was to seek out how each woman finds solidarity and acceptance in her choices and ideas on and off the island.
A few weeks before Ivan and I were leaving Malta for good, we grabbed our camera and interviewed our subjects. As the producer and director I chose women who had inspired me over my four years as a Maltese resident. I aimed for a mix of age and background and also stories. I wanted to tell their stories because Malta desperately needs change, and I hoped to inspire discussion towards that change.
The enchanting Cinema Galeries Brussels, part of the Cinema Europa chain
Malta is the only country in the EU where a woman will be arrested for having an abortion. Here, the path to a legal abortion is fraught with barriers: it demands a consensus from not one, but three separate doctors, all agreeing that abortion is the sole measure to save her life. Abortion is illegal even in cases of rape and incest, making Malta one of the strictest anti-abortion nations in the world.
Malta’s law is so helplessly outdated and inhumane that every year at least 500 women in Malta leave the country to have an abortion or or find another, more dangerous means to go through with the procedure.
So when No Woman is an Island was invited to screen in front of the EU Parliament in a bid to help change Maltese law, I was honoured. To screen in Parliament, where MPs advocate, deliberate, and enact laws to foster positive change across all member states, including Malta ...
Well, that was precisely one of the motivations driving my documentary work. Initiating dialogues, raising awareness, and catalysing change — these are the core objectives that drive my passion for filmmaking, particularly in advocating for women's rights. And what better avenue to accomplish this than by showcasing my film in the heart of the EU?
Knowledge + experience = education
Producing and directing documentaries has broadened my filmmaking scope. How I look at film distribution and film sales has changed. Sure, there is not a lot of money to be made with films which are not studio produced and marketed, and don’t feature names or celebrities.
But documentaries have the power to enlighten, to highlight issues that need to be discussed, to bring awareness to the marginalized, and to spark grassroots movements that drive meaningful change. Their impact can transcend festival screenings and streaming platforms, resonating far beyond the initial viewing experience.
Documentaries can educate. They are a teaching tool, and they are often used in schools, government institutions, and corporate settings, opening up a new avenue of reach that most films can’t touch: educational distribution. It is an avenue I have explored before, with my short film and awareness project Daughter, which is still available to Australian schools, and it is an avenue I am glad to be exploring again with No Woman is an Island.
The agenda and focus
Our experience in Brussels was incredibly informative and inspirational. Ivan and I had the chance to expand our knowledge of the current state of affairs in Malta while learning about European laws and legislations.
Both of us were part of a series of events titled Resist & Rise — made up of screenings, panels, protests, all which focused on making change for marginalised people in Malta.
A very popular photo point with visitors, Brussels
Our schedule was full. From Tuesday night when Ivan and the rest of the delegation joined me in Brussels, 82 people in total, it was one event after another, activists and professors and MPs fighting together to make a difference.
The delegation consisted of Maltese activists from outspoken NGOs Movement Graffiti, Young Progressive Beings, Doctors for Choice, Women’s Rights Foundation and MGMN. The events were led by progressive Maltese MP Cryus Engerer who invited our film to this event after seeing it last year at the University of Malta. I never met Cyrus at the initial screening in Malta, but obviously my film made an impact. After the screening we emailed back and forth for a while before he suggested taking No Woman is an Island to Brussels.
And so I found myself in the capital of Belgium, amidst the swirl of Belgian chocolates and the fragrance of waffles – Brussels – a crossroads of cultures, where the future of a continent is penned under the watchful eyes of the world.
And maybe, just maybe, me and my documentary could play a little part in penning that future.
The big moment
Walking to the EU Parliament on Wednesday night for the No Woman is an Island screening, an official visitor badge pinned to my jumper, the whole experience felt surreal. Was I really doing this and what would the night be like? What discussions will ensue?
No Woman is an Island documentary screening in EU Parliament
Also running through my mind was what I would say on the panel afterwards. A few hours before the event I was told that I would be answering a question about why I made the film. In the hotel I ran through my responses a handful of times with Ivan.
Our group were all in attendance, which was nice to see, support and attention from a receptive audience. The screening and discussion panel was also streamed live on the Parliament website, opening up the potential audience to all corners of the globe.
The size of the room was impressive and the 80 activists filled up the main section nicely. There were three screens in total, to cover the three seating sections and the panel took place directly under the middle screen.
No Woman is an Island documentary screening in EU Parliament
Journalist Belle je Jong was moderating the evening and when she took her place center of the seated stage, followed by Cyrus to her left and called the room to attention, my heart jumped a little. This was the moment, things were feeling real. Belle introduced Poland MP Robert Biedroń (Socialists and Democrats) and MP Karen Melchior (Renew Europe) and they made up the opening panel.
Listening to Belle introduce the night and speak about the current state of women’s rights was a fantastic memory I will treasure, despite the bleak state of Malta’s current laws. Belle reminded me and the audience that we were making history – this was the first time that Malta’s ban on abortion would be discussed within the EU Parliament.
Then Robert Biedroń and Karen Melchior each spoke about various achievements already reached in Europe regarding women’s rights and abortion, before giving their thoughts on Malta’s ban.
When the talks were over it was time for the film, and as the lights dimmed and the titles for No Woman is an Island flashed on the big screens, my heart fluttered again. I reminded myself of how honoured and lucky I was to showcase my work here. And the audience seemed to enjoy the documentary, cheering out loud in one particular moment where academic and activist Professor Marceline Naudi declares ‘I got a face so I can stick it in someone's face’. As the film ended and the audience clapped and Maltese punk rock band The Fuzzhoney’s belted out their feminist track ‘Soul’ over the end credits, I was happy we did it.
Sarah Jayne on the panel listening to a question from the audience | Image David Mallia
I was the first person Belle called up to the panel and I was followed by Marceline Naudi, lawyer Lara Dimitrijevic, pro-choice doctors Natalie Psaila and Isabel Stabile and Swedish MP Carina Ohlsson.
When Belle asked why I made the film, I knew I wanted to speak clearly, and slowly. Looking back at the response I gave it seems like I was thinking one thing, but said another. I’m proud that at least I spoke slowly while I had the attention of the room, but I could have said more. That is my only self-criticism. It seems that I’m a little out of practice when it comes to public speaking.
When I had to represent my film Daughter on tour around Victoria I remember how scared I was to get up and speak in front of a room. I also remember how much easier it got as the tour went on, and how natural public speaking began to feel. Having that feeling again would be wonderful, as although your documentary films can speak for themselves, it’s nice for the filmmaker to show where the passion and drive for the story came from.
The closing panel guests : L-R Lara Dimitrijevic (Women’s Rights Foundation Malta), Belle je Jong, Dr Natalie Psaila (Drs for Choice) MP Cyrus Engerer, Isabel Stabile (Doctors for Choice), film director and producer Sarah Jayne Portelli, Swedish MP Carina Ohlsson and academic Marceline Naudi | Image David Mallia
As a whole, my self judgment aside, the panel after the film screened was inspirational. I learnt a lot and enjoyed listening to these phenomenal women have their say on the topics touched on in my film and the situation as it currently stands for women in Malta.
Complimentary drinks at a local bar across from Parliament followed and everyone seemed to be in a great mood. After all that lead up, the filmmaker in me was relieved. The event came upon me quickly and it was over just as quickly. It’s a reminder to live in the moment and give thanks for every opportunity as it’s unclear if an opportunity of this magnitude, for any of my films, will present itself again.
The women’s rights march
The next day our enthusiastic group gathered in front of the EU Parliament building, placards in hand declaring our support for abortion and women’s rights in Malta. Together we marched down the road towards the Maltese Embassy. Positioned outside the Embassy, we made our stand, chanting slogans in both Maltese and English and later presenting speeches to the public and representatives from the Maltese press.
Maltese activists in Brussels protesting against Malta’s strict abortion rights outside the Maltese Embassy | Image David Mallia
These representatives not only took photos and videos but also conducted interviews. Curious onlookers, intrigued by the activity, inquired about the situation. Upon learning about Malta's strict abortion laws, they were shocked to discover that Maltese women lacked abortion rights, and many offered their support. We were reaching people. We were making a difference.
The press went on to spread the word back in Malta. Would it change the policies of the Government in regards to body autonomy for women? One can hope and while we hope, we will continue to campaign and make noise.
However the overall goal in Brussels is to have the right to a safe and legal abortion added to the Charter of Fundamental Human Rights, which would make Malta’s current position on abortion invalid under EU law. The majority of EU Parliament already supports this initiative. So by taking part in these screening and protests MPs and activists are working to take this support to the next level and enshrine the right to a safe and legal abortion within the Charter.
Of course I understand these issues I support with my filmmaking and my activism are not black or white. I understand the pro-life argument. I don’t agree with it, but I won’t refuse to speak with you or be friends with you if you do. It goes back to one of the reasons why I make films and documentaries — to present my beliefs and my truths through my art. And hopefully, my art will get you thinking.
The Brussels effect
Being invited to Brussels with No Woman is an Island and asked to speak in the European Parliament is one of the highlights of my experiences and achievements as a filmmaker. I’ve tried many ways to distribute this film and get it out there but have hit brick wall after brick wall. Too niche for US distributors. Too controversial for conservative Maltese television and the school system. Too short for an independent cinema run.
However, when I weigh it all up, the effect Brussels and the event had on the film’s credibility is something that can’t compare to any other type of screening. It comes full circle back to my original thinking – some films are not meant to make a lot of money, or any money at all, but they can change people’s perspective and they can be part of a wave of change. Sometimes, that is enough.
Written by Sarah Jayne Portelli
Check out a video about the screening, panels, and protests below: