Film Review: Journey To Mecca
A 21-year-old Heads Off on a Solo Trek to a Holy Saudi Arabian City
Oct 24, 2009
Ibn Battuta is not someone, who is instantly recognisable by name generally. Yet, he travelled three times further than Marco Polo, reaching more than 40 countries, making his one of the greatest travel journals ever recorded.
Very little exists in cinema on Battuta, one of the greatest explorers of the Old World. Thus, the filmmakers behind a new IMAX documentary, Journey to Mecca, felt it their duty to tell his story, largely unknown in the West, and explain the Hajj pilgrimage in order to create a bridge between the Muslim and Western worlds and develop an understanding of its ultimate purpose – peace.
In brief
Directed by Bruce Neibaur, Journey To Mecca includes the talents of Chems-Eddine Zinoune, as Battuta, and Hassam Ghancy, as his ally, Highwayman. It follows Battuta as a 21-year-old law student, setting out on an epic and perilous solo expedition to Mecca, some 4500km away, between the years of 1325 and 1326.
The film is also actually dedicated to Zinoune, who tragically died in a car accident last year following the filming of the movie.
The Hajj pilgrimmage
It is the duty of every Muslim to visit the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia at least once in their lifetime, if possible, and continues to draw three million Muslims from around the world.
Journey to Mecca marks the first and only time an IMAX camera has been admitted into the most sacred sanctuary of Islam - the Grand Mosque in Mecca. As the Hajj is strictly for Muslims only, the directors were required to train Muslim cameramen to use IMAX cameras to allow them to film in the space.
Breathtaking scenery
The film boasts breathtaking scenery, taking us to colourful souks in Morocco, the Atlas Mountains, and a hand-carved Cairo library, as well as joining pilgrims journeying across desert sands.
The production assembled the longest and one of the largest "caravans" ever filmed, featuring camels, horses, donkeys, sheep and goats, in addition to hundreds of extras in period costume. Altogether, more than 4500 extras appeared in this film.
The verdict
While Journey To Mecca has understandably already attracted vast Muslim audiences, people of all backgrounds would benefit from seeing this film to understand the historic meaning behind the Hajj. The film has also received endorsements from leaders from many religions, including the Dalai Lama.
Journey to Mecca opened at IMAX theatres, Australia, on October 22. It opens in the US in January 2010.
 |
