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39499
Thu, 01/08/2009 - 12:49
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https://oananews.org//node/39499
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Imagenation Abu Dhabi announces world premiere of 'Journey to Mecca'
Abu Dhabi, Jan 8, 2009 (WAM) - Imagenation Abu Dhabi, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Company, announced the world premiere of 'Journey to Mecca', an historic production by Cosmic Picture and SK Films, released by SK Films in association with National Geographic.
The film, shot in ultra-high definition IMAX format, chronicles the travels of Ibn Battuta on his first holy pilgrimage in 1325 as well as the contemporary Hajj as it is performed today. 'Journey to Mecca' will be screened in Arabic and English exclusively, outside and under the stars, on the grounds of the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi, between 7-9 January 2009.
Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, chairman of Abu Dhabi Media Company and Imagenation Abu Dhabi commented: 'We are proud to offer everyone in Abu Dhabi the chance to witness this spectacular, inspirational film which provides a unique insight into one of history's great journeys to Mecca. It will provide audiences locally and internationally with a powerful, larger-than-life cinematic experience that celebrates the true cultural and religious heritage of the Arab world.' Edward Borgerding, CEO of Abu Dhabi Media Company and Imagenation Abu Dhabi, said: 'Imagenation is delighted to host the world premiere of a film which portrays a beautiful theme with a beautiful message. Journey to Mecca has the power to educate, entertain and unite diverse audiences in an engaging and accessible way.
Narrated by Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley, 'Journey to Mecca' assembled a team of local and international technical and religious experts to bring to life the incredible and historic journey of Ibn Battuta. The film was shot in Mecca with three IMAX cameras and an 85 man crew. This was the first production granted permission to film the annual pilgrimage from within the Grand Mosque and from the air using the spectacular giant screen IMAX format.
Jake Eberts, executive producer and chairman of National Geographic Feature Films, added: ''Journey to Mecca' is truly a huge cinematic achievement, not just in the careful planning and production behind it but also in its portrayal of one of the most significant acts of religious devotion in the world. IMAX is the only film format that could possibly capture the loneliness, the spectacle, and ultimately the grandeur of Ibn Battuta's journey. This is a story that the whole world, regardless of religion, needs to witness.' Taran Davies, Producer and CEO of Cosmic Picture, who conceived of the concept for 'Journey to Mecca' with fellow producer Dominic Cunningham-Reid in 2004, commented: 'We set out to tell the story of one man's journey to Mecca to perform the Hajj - a story similar to the epic voyages made by millions of travellers for over a thousand years to this sacred city.
Journey to Mecca tells the story of Ibn Battuta, (played by Chems Eddine Zinoun) a young scholar, who leaves Tangier in 1325 on an epic and perilous journey, travelling alone from his home in Morocco to reach Mecca, some 3,000 miles to the east. Along the route he meets an unlikely stranger, the Highwayman (played by Hassam Ghancy) who becomes his protector and eventual friend.
Commenting on the legacy of 'Journey to Mecca', Producer and Chairman, Cosmic Picture, Dominic Cunningham-Reid said: 'The last four years making this film has been a wonderful journey for us. We are very proud of this, the first giant screen film ever made on the Hajj and deeply grateful to the thousands of people who contributed to its making - especially to our special group of investors and supporters who believed in the importance of this film from the beginning.
The film, shot in ultra-high definition IMAX format, chronicles the travels of Ibn Battuta on his first holy pilgrimage in 1325 as well as the contemporary Hajj as it is performed today. 'Journey to Mecca' will be screened in Arabic and English exclusively, outside and under the stars, on the grounds of the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi, between 7-9 January 2009.
Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, chairman of Abu Dhabi Media Company and Imagenation Abu Dhabi commented: 'We are proud to offer everyone in Abu Dhabi the chance to witness this spectacular, inspirational film which provides a unique insight into one of history's great journeys to Mecca. It will provide audiences locally and internationally with a powerful, larger-than-life cinematic experience that celebrates the true cultural and religious heritage of the Arab world.' Edward Borgerding, CEO of Abu Dhabi Media Company and Imagenation Abu Dhabi, said: 'Imagenation is delighted to host the world premiere of a film which portrays a beautiful theme with a beautiful message. Journey to Mecca has the power to educate, entertain and unite diverse audiences in an engaging and accessible way.
Narrated by Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley, 'Journey to Mecca' assembled a team of local and international technical and religious experts to bring to life the incredible and historic journey of Ibn Battuta. The film was shot in Mecca with three IMAX cameras and an 85 man crew. This was the first production granted permission to film the annual pilgrimage from within the Grand Mosque and from the air using the spectacular giant screen IMAX format.
Jake Eberts, executive producer and chairman of National Geographic Feature Films, added: ''Journey to Mecca' is truly a huge cinematic achievement, not just in the careful planning and production behind it but also in its portrayal of one of the most significant acts of religious devotion in the world. IMAX is the only film format that could possibly capture the loneliness, the spectacle, and ultimately the grandeur of Ibn Battuta's journey. This is a story that the whole world, regardless of religion, needs to witness.' Taran Davies, Producer and CEO of Cosmic Picture, who conceived of the concept for 'Journey to Mecca' with fellow producer Dominic Cunningham-Reid in 2004, commented: 'We set out to tell the story of one man's journey to Mecca to perform the Hajj - a story similar to the epic voyages made by millions of travellers for over a thousand years to this sacred city.
Journey to Mecca tells the story of Ibn Battuta, (played by Chems Eddine Zinoun) a young scholar, who leaves Tangier in 1325 on an epic and perilous journey, travelling alone from his home in Morocco to reach Mecca, some 3,000 miles to the east. Along the route he meets an unlikely stranger, the Highwayman (played by Hassam Ghancy) who becomes his protector and eventual friend.
Commenting on the legacy of 'Journey to Mecca', Producer and Chairman, Cosmic Picture, Dominic Cunningham-Reid said: 'The last four years making this film has been a wonderful journey for us. We are very proud of this, the first giant screen film ever made on the Hajj and deeply grateful to the thousands of people who contributed to its making - especially to our special group of investors and supporters who believed in the importance of this film from the beginning.
