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Islam and the Future of Tolerance (2018)
Expect a lot of labels and unconditional agreement from the two protagonists
I only watched this documentary film because a colleague at work had asked my opinion on Maajid Nawaz after he had watched it. Like 99.99% of the Muslim community in the UK I'd struggle to say anything positive about Maajid Nawaz but I thought it would be unfair to comment on him and the film without watching it and so I proceeded to do so. It was a struggle to get past the first five minutes. It was a struggle to get to the end.
I got the impression from the film's trailer and description that it would be an exchange of conflicting ideas between the two protagonists. But no, from start to end, the two continued to agree with other. In fact you'd struggle to find two individuals who agree with each other anymore than these two! Even with five minutes to go I was certain the two of them would disagree somewhere and give us something to think about. But no, it never came. So basically if you're a fanboy/fangirl of Sam Harris and Maajid Nawaz and like to see the two of them agreeing with each other then you'll like this film.
The film tries desperately to create a narrative where there is no narrative. It tries to convey this idea that by the two protagonists conversing with each other they're bringing about some major change. But, again, to repeat the point, when two people who agree with each other converse, nothing changes! Both started off agreeing with each other and both ended agreeing with each other. It's simple maths.
In terms of the actual content of the film it's basically the two protagonists throwing out labels, defining boxes and agreeing to put people into them: this is a traditionalist, that's an Islamist and that's a traditionalist on the way to becoming an Islamist! Basically creating over-simplified representations of the people and world around them. A bit like the very "dogmatists" who they've made it their life mission to fight against if you ask me. Put your seatbelt on and expect a lot of labels: "Jihadist", "literalist", "Islamist theocrat", "conservative Muslim", "moderate Muslim", "secular Muslim", "reformist Muslim", "secular apologist", "pluralist liberalist", etc, etc.
I promised myself I'd keep my review to three paragraphs maximum because this film deserves no more time than I've already given it and so I'll end here.
One Day in the Haram (2017)
Stunning shots. Nice narrative.
I got to see the UK premiere of this documentary movie yesterday and I'm glad to say it delivered! As the trailer for the movie attests to there are some really beautiful shots in this movie. Both the aerial long-range shots as well as the on-the-ground close-range shots of the Ka'bah, the Haram and wider Makkah are stunning.
As well the beautiful shots the movie has a running narrative which works to keep the viewer engaged. Though the movie was shot over a number of weeks it's edited and presented to the viewer as a single day in the Haram from the morning prayer to the night prayer. It works. The narrative also strikes a good balance in my opinion so that it's understandable and enjoyable for both Muslim and non-Muslim audiences.
Yesterday's premiere included a Q&A with the producer and director of the movie and it was inspiring to hear how such a young team with a limited budget and working against the bureaucracy of the Haram's custodians managed to pull off this project and deliver such a polished product. One thing that I found funny about the movie was how the Saudi workers in the Haram were on their best behaviour when the camera was on and came across as humble, gentle and jovial towards visitors. Although this is a little away from reality it was good to see the filmmakers didn't have to exaggerate this point too much to get the film authorised. It would have been great to see the non-Saudi workers in the Haram get a little more air time in the movie but alas it is what it is.
Overall a stunning first of its kind. Hats off to the producers. An excellent initiative and a beautiful product.