A Road to Mecca: The Journey of Muhammad Asad 2008
Distributed by Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Mischief Films
Directed by Georg Misch
DVD, color, 92 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Human Rights, Religion, World History, Islam, Political Science, Arabia, Activism, Philosophy
Date Entered: 11/06/2009
Reviewed by Malcolm L. Rigsby, Department of Sociology, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, ARFilms shot with the quality of this one create a desire to become part of the material being portrayed. Director Georg Misch takes us on a trip beginning in the early 1920s when we are introduced to a young Jew by the name of Leopold Weis. Leopold is the name that carries with it the qualities of a lion; powerful, calculating, and wise. Weis journeys to the land of the British controlled Palestine where he is introduced to the Arab way of life lived by the Bedouins. There he learns Arabic, learns the way of Arab life, and studies the Quran. In time this Jewish man comes to adopt and identify himself with Islam and Bedouin life. With his conversion to Islam he changes his name to Muhammad Asad.
From there we are introduced to the trek of Asad across the years of his life. We explore the ancient camel routes to Mecca and sojourn with the Bedouin descendants of those who knew Asad or who continue to recount the sagas attached to Asad’s life and influence on the Muslim world and what it means to be a Muslim in modernity. We enter lively debates as to whether Asad’s influence has been altogether positive or whether like so much of life there are points of debate that may relate negatives associated with his influence.
As the director guides us through Asad’s life we see him develop in his thought and analysis of Islam and the words of the Quran. His presence has been of no doubt influential throughout the Muslim world and the development of the Palestinian Muslim State. Perhaps one of his greatest influences upon Islam is his masterful literary work translating and interpreting the Quran.
The music score accompanying this film is superb and well suited to scenes and transition between topics. Sound, picture quality and scenes are vivid and alive. Editing is excellent. The one criticism noted by this reviewer is that there is limited camera time devoted to quotations and the print font is very small in not only quotations but much of the subtitle. Viewers may find it frustrating to be required to pause as often as needed in order to read and appreciate the quotations.
A preview is available via the Icarus Films sponsored clip on YouTube.
Awards
- Jury Award, 2008 FIDADOC Film Festival (Morocco)
- Best Cinematography Award, 2008 DIAGONALE Festival of Austrian Films