February 17, 2011
New IMAX film, Arabia 3D, Opens Friday at Natural History
Millions of Muslims from all over the world gather for four days during the sacred pilgrimage called the "Hajj." Still courtesy of Macgillivray Freeman Films
Tomorrow, a new IMAX film, “Arabia 3D,” debuts at the National Museum of Natural History’s Johnson IMAX Theater. The immersive, 3D-experience delivers breathtaking aerial views of the Kingdom Tower of Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia and the Grand Mosque in the Holy city of Makkah (Mecca), where every year some three million Muslims make their sacred pilgrimage. Narrated by the Academy Award-winning actress, Helen Miren, the 40-minute adventure offers some spectacular cinematography of desert camel caravans, Red Sea shipwrecks and the ancient ruins of a lost city. The film’s producers are among the first to be granted access to more than 20 locations across Saudi Arabia.
Last week at a sneak preview of the film, 24-year-old Hamzah Jamjoom, a Saudi citizen whose story is told in the film, discussed how Arabia’s past golden ages have inspired the Saudi people of today. Jamjoom, who came to the United States at age 17 to study film, spoke about Arabia’s history from the Nabataean frankincense traders and early founders of the scientific method to the modern cities and economy of Saudi Arabia.
Twice-nominated for an Academy Award, Greg Macgillivray, the film’s producer and director, has said that he wanted tell the stories that most Americans will have never heard. “Great care was taken to find the right point of view,” he has said, “we went though more than 50 drafts of the script and everything has been vetted with religious and historical experts.”
Purchase tickets online. The film is offered four times daily, seven days a week.
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I thought this film, shown at the Museum of Natural History, would be about the geography and culture of Saudi Arabia. It did cover these somewhat, but from a very biased perspective. The film is essentially a 45-minute long propaganda piece from the Saudi government. The film covers the great periods in the history of the peninsula (and yes, there are some) and indicates that Saudi Arabia is poised for another Golden Age – drive by oil. However, it does not cover why the civilization entered decline after those eras.
The film places much emphasis on Islam as the overwhelming influence in everyday life. However, it’s without any mention of the Islamic extremism that was born in Saudi Arabia. Viewers will infer that everyone in the kingdom lives a happy life, fulfilling the preachings of Mohammed, and content with all that the government does.
In terms of the status of women, the Arab narrator simply says that there is “a long way to go.” They interview one woman who seems content with the status of women in Saudi Arabia and never attempt to show a contrasting view.
If you want to spend 45 minutes learning what the Saudi government wants you to learn about Arabia, this is the film for you. I was very disappointed that the Smithsonian Institution chose to show it.