The Holy War

Author(s): Harry
Location: Colombia

"The Holy War”
A Sony Pictures Classic Release

Directed by Ang Lee
Written by James Schamus
Produced by Bill Kong and Ang Lee
Music by Tan Dun
Production Design by Tim Yip
Cinematography by Christopher Doyle and Peter Pau
Costume Design by Emi Wada

Principal Cast:

Naveen Andrews as Muhammad
Sonam Lahmo as Khadija
Ben Kingsley as Abd al-Muttalib
Archie Panjabi as Aisha

Tagline: "At a time when polytheism reigns, a man chosen by Allah will found a religion and make war to honor it"

Synopsis: This epic story of the beginnings of the Islam religion starts in the Mecca in the 6th century. Muhammad is a retailer that learned about monotheist religions Judaism and Christianity in some of his travels. One day, the Angel Gabriel appears to him telling him that Allah, the only god had chosen him to found a new religion called Islam.

He returns excited at home after the appearance of the angel but only his wife Khadija and his sons believe him and the rest of the habitants chase him from Mecca. This chase is called the Hijra. He then arrives to a city called Yathrib were he started teaching others the Islam and finally returns to the Mecca with a lot of soldiers making an intense war called the holy war were the person that didn’t become Islam died. The war made him conquest the Mecca. Muhammad dies in the year 632 after marrying his second wife Aisha.

What the press would say:

The academy award winning director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) comes back and better than ever with this epic, intense, dramatic and amazing motion picture about the life of Muhammad, the founder of the Islam religion.

The solid cast makes the film more unique and powerful. Archie Panjabi (The Constant Gardener) plays to perfection the role of Aisha, Muhammad’s second wife. Ben Kingsley (House of Sand and Fog, Gandhi) is also fascinating as Muhammad’s grandfather and first teacher as well as Sonam Lahmo (Travelers and Magicians) who plays the stunning role of Khadija, Muhammad’s first wife 20 years older than him.

But the film’s show stealer is none other than the amazing Naveen Andrews (Lost T. V. Series, The English Patient) as the man behind the Islam foundation with a lot of powerful and difficult scenes such as the Hijra or The Holy War. To show respect to today’s Islam religion, his face is never shown.

At the crew, Mr. James Schamus (Brokeback Mountain and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) makes a solid and wonderful screenplay with amazingly wonderful dialogue.

Ang Lee is at his best directing this epic work of art and should repeat his Oscar victory as well as being recognized as one of the greatest directors of our time.

The music is also a wonder so is the cinematography that has beautiful shots of Arabia as well as eye-popping designs.

So ladies and gentleman, prepare to see this beautiful epic masterpiece that is the greatest film this year by a mile!

Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture – Sony Pictures Classic
Best Directing – Ang Lee
Best Actor – Naveen Andrews
Best Actress – Sonam Lahmo
Best Supporting Actor – Ben Kingsley
Best Supporting Actress – Archie Panjabi
Best Adapted Screenplay – James Schamus
Best Score – Tan Dun
Best Art Direction – Tim Yip
Best Cinematography – Christopher Doyle and Peter Pau
Best Costume Design – Emi Wada
Best Sound Mixing