BILAL is an extraordinary full length animation feature produced in Dubai and excels in first rate animation conveying a universal message.  Set in the 6th century landscape of the Arabian desert the feature depicts  Bilal and his sister Ghufaira  who were abducted  from their African home as children by slave traders who slayed their mother. As slaves they are growing up in a forlorn village dominated by merchants adhering to a belief in idols and terrorizing through fear and punishments the villagers. They have to sacrifice their earnings to the idols and must buy small statues of the idols. Bilal does not question his status as a slave, though he holds his ground defending others who are mistreated. His sister works cleaning for the local overlord Umayya.  Primary motivation for the merchants to maintain oppression and slavery is unlimited greed with the use of idols as a convenient subterfuge to exploit the people.  When Bilal is approached by the Lord of the Merchant who suggests that no one is born a slave and that great men choose their own destiny, Bilal responds that the talk of equality is wishful thinking espoused by persons who can afford it. When some slaves are punished in the village square, a horse rider stops the beating and shouts that the savagery of the rulers covers the face of God. The Lord of the Traders explains to Bilal that his master Umayya is also a slave because as other merchants he is enslaved by greed and their only God is money.  When questioned by  Umayya  at a celebration for his son  Safwan  honoring Safwan for selling many idols, Bilal states that there is only one God. He is imprisoned and tortured but refuses to compromise. Looking within himself he discovers his strength and loses the chains of slavery. After a more severe punishment the Lord of the Merchants buys his freedom from Umayya but cannot liberate his sister because Umayya has given her as a present to his son.  Bilal leaves the village joining the movement which tries to overthrow groups believing in idols, and learns how to fight but also that truth is in the mind and not in weapons. Years later Ubayya decides to kill all members of the growing movement and starts a bloody war but is defeated and slain. When Bali looks for his sister he encounters Safwan but resists the urge to kill him. Assuming she is dead he questions Safwan and learns that Safwant let her live.  The family is united again and under the leadership of Bilal the movement enjoys peace though threatened by possible warfare.

BILAL meets the highest criteria for an animated feature and is based on the story of Bilal who lived in the 6thcentury. The computerized images of the principle characters and locations are hyper realistic crossing the borders of animation.  Imagery corresponds to the habits and settings of that period with a fast-moving narrative easily accessible by an audience not familiar with the historical context. Conversations between Bilal and leading members of the movement about slavery, the meaning of life and norms guiding behavior express current universal concerns.  The feature has high production value which does not override the impact of the content as distinct from many current animation films where high production values and special effects are a priority. The music is not as compelling as the images and story.

BILAL has a lasting message well understood in the humanistic framework. Though placed more than one thousand years ago this is a unique feature with a compelling socially relevant content for today. It provides the plausible interpretation that hidden by the ideology of false gods greed destroys the essence of mankind and enslaves all subjected to it.  Bilal strongly opposes inequality and battles the subordination of people. In the current climate of growing class division a faith based appeal to strengthen moral values should attract a large audience. Though the film is based on the character of Bilal Ibn Rabah, the first Muezzin calling people for prayer, its relevance transcends the boundaries of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith.

Claus Mueller    filmexchange@gmail.com