In the ways of curious coincidences, I ran into this film release, the story of a Sufi Dervish.
Bab’Aziz – The Prince Who Contemplated His Soul
“A visual poem of incomparable beauty, this masterpiece from director Nacer Khemir (Wanderers of the Desert) begins with the story of a blind dervish named Bab’Aziz and his spirited granddaughter, Ishtar. Together they wander the desert in search of a great reunion of dervishes that takes place just once every thirty years. With faith as their only guide, the two journey for days through the expansive, barren landscape. To keep Ishtar entertained, Bab’Aziz relays the ancient tale of a prince who relinquished his realm in order to remain next to a small pool in the desert, staring into its depths while contemplating his soul. As the tale of the prince unfolds, the two encounter other travelers with stories of their own–including Osman, who longs for the beautiful woman he met at the bottom of a well, and Zaid, who searches for the ravishing young woman who fled from him after being seduced by his songs. Filled with breathtaking images and wonderful music, Nacir Khemir has created a fairytale-like story of longing and belonging, filmed in the enchanting and ever-shifting sandscapes of Tunisia and Iran.”
Timely, given the rhetoric on the global stage. Meanwhile, a friend of mine is organizing a group to travel to Morocco in the fall to help rebuild a village destroyed by flooding. Flooding in the Sahara.
http://www.miracleatmerzouga.org/
Last Updated on December 11, 2013 by Davidya
David –
I’ve got to see this movie. Flooding in the desert? Our northeastern states are in hot weather. I wonder if you are planning to go with the group.
Thanks
Shilpan
We’ve had an abnormally cool spring on the west coast.
Yet we’re seeing Octopus here that didn’t used to come north of the Baja. Having lived much of my life in a moderate climate, I would not be well suited to spending a couple of months in the desert. I burn easily, for example. But I do support what they are doing – both in learning the Berber ways and in showing the Berbers packed earth technology and in helping them build their homes again.
My friends trip to the desert is off. The attention brought funding and they are rebuilding now.