Film: "Bilal: A New Breed of Hero" by Khurram H. Alavi and Ayman Jamal

I watched Bilal: A New Breed of Hero by Khurram H. Alavi and Ayman Jamal on Peacock. It is produced by Barajoun Entertainment. Alexander Kronemer & Michael Wolfe of Unity Productions Foundation are also writers on the film.

While the movie never is explicit that it is a story based on Muslims' common understandings of events surrounding Bilal ibn Rabah رضي الله عنه, a leading companion of Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم, Muslim families familiar with these understandings will recognize elements. For example, in the duel before a battle scene, one of the participants on the side of the "New Movement" carries a sword ending in two points, as is commonly believed about `Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه.

Review: Film "Lamya's Poem" by Alex Kronemer

Lamya's Poem, from Unity Productions Foundation, is an imaginative and moving animated film which can appeal to a variety of audiences. It would be inaccurate to pigeon-hole Lamya's Poem into a category. Is it advocacy on behalf of migrants fleeing war and poverty? Is it therapy for individuals who have experienced trauma? Is it fan-fiction for Jalal al-Din Rumi? Is it a call to Muslims to orient their religious practice in a particular manner?

There are certainly aspects of these themes in the film. Might the film have been simpler to digest had it restricted itself to a more straightforward narrative and less avant-garde visuals? Perhaps, but isn't it time Muslim media productions went beyond macaroni & cheese to a more nuanced and subtle dish?

The film is animated, and it portrays children, but don't make the mistake of thinking it is a children's film. Don't think that you can stick it in your DVD player and have it babysit your 8 year old while you shop on eBay. I'm no expert in what's appropriate for children based on their ages, but I'd definitely sit and discuss this with a child during and after viewing.

My favorite visual effect was the transformation of the Mongol cavalry charge which haunted Jalal al-Din's memories into the police kettle which trapped Lamya and other migrants in an unregulated gathering site in an unnamed European city.

I have requested through my public library books which appeared in the film's credits as sources for the translations of Rumi's poetry.

For many years I've supported Unity Productions Foundation. I urge readers of this blog to watch its productions and support as able. I also gave the film a good rating at IMDB.

I was able to watch this film on Hoopla Digital for free through my public library membership. As the film reminds us, the first word of the revelation is "Read!".

"The Great Muslim American Road Trip" Once Again Demonstrates that Unity Productions Foundation Is Worthy of Support

I am a long-time supporter of Unity Productions Foundation. I've blogged about its productions numerous times.

I just finished watching the series The Great Muslim American Road Trip on United States's Public Broadcasting System. The series presented vignettes of Muslim life in North America through the lens of Mona Haydar and Sebastian Robins, a married couple, who traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles on the famed Route 66.