How do you make a film about the Prophet Mohammad (s) and not depict him?
DOHA, Nov 1 (Reuters) – An epic film about Islam’s Prophet Mohammad backed by the producer of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Matrix” is being planned with the aim of “bridging cultures”.
Filming of the $150-million English-language movie is set to start in 2011 with American Barrie Osborne as its producer, Qatari media company Alnoor Holdings said on Sunday.
The film – in which the Prophet would not be depicted, in accordance with Islamic rules – is in development and talks are being held with studios, talent agencies and distributors in the United States and Britain, Alnoor said.
Osborne told Reuters the film would be an “international epic production aimed at bridging cultures.”
“The film will educate people about the true meaning of Islam,” he said.
Rumi Film planned by Qatar Foundation still apparantly on track…More.
johnpi 7:10 pm on November 1, 2009 Permalink |
It’s been done before in another movie. The camera eye is basically placed where the Prophet (pbuh) would be. Someone linked a clip from here awhile ago. Basically, I got the impression that there were a lot of scenes of people standing around just gaping at the camera. It made me very uncomfortable.
Buzz 7:22 pm on November 1, 2009 Permalink |
There was a Charleton Heston movie where everyone starred like deer caught in headlights at an off camera Jesus. Not a very compelling mechanism.
muffy 10:54 am on November 2, 2009 Permalink |
I’m assuming you’re talking about “Ben Hur.” Ironically, in the case of that movie, the intention was to make Jesus seem more, not less, divine. I saw the movie about Mohammed that I believe johnpi is referring to, and I thought the technique had the same effect — It made Mohammed seem less like a man and more like a divine figure. That was probably the opposite of the intention of the (I believe Muslim) film maker. Not a good technique.
Buzz 7:24 pm on November 1, 2009 Permalink |
I think the timing is right for western audiences to see a well-done drama about Islam.
razib, murtad fitri 7:28 pm on November 1, 2009 Permalink |
my parents have one of those movies. it felt like “experimental film” or something art house/avante guarde. i don’t think that was the intent…..
aziz 7:29 pm on November 1, 2009 Permalink |
TMBG reference!!!!
razib, murtad fitri 7:30 pm on November 1, 2009 Permalink |
nurd.
shams 10:50 pm on November 1, 2009 Permalink |
more bettah.
aziz 11:32 am on November 2, 2009 Permalink
Did I mention that I saw TMBG live in Madison a couple of weeks ago?
*brag brag*
The Sun is a mass of incandescent gas/miasma, of incandescent plasma, forget about that other song
skevin 11:29 pm on November 1, 2009 Permalink |
Or, just use CGI to envelop his head in flames, as was done with paint in Persian miniatures.
Buzz 1:01 am on November 2, 2009 Permalink |
Or the white veil over his face. Islam has so much wisdom.
The decision not to depict the Prophet is one of many stunningly brilliant moves.
It proves he was a Prophet.