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Film Details

Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta

Journey to Mecca is an IMAX dramatic and documentary feature filmed in Saudi Arabia and Morocco in English and Arabic that tells the amazing story of Ibn Battuta, one of the greatest travelers of all time--travelling for almost 30 years and three times farther than Marco Polo. The film follows his first epic journey in 1325 from Tangier to Mecca across North Africa, the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. His perilous voyage resonates with adventure while presenting an unforgettable picture of Islamic civilization during the 14th century.

Journey to Mecca culminates with Ibn Battuta’s first Hajj--the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which is one of the longest running congregations of people in history. The film reveals for the first time on the giant screen the Hajj as it was performed in the 14th century and dissolving into the most astounding modern-day footage of the Hajj ever recorded in IMAX, with over 3 million pilgrims

Genre

Documentary, Historical, Cultural Studies, Exploration/Discovery

Awards

Remi Award for Best Dramatic Short, Houston International Film Festival, April 2010
Best Sound Design, Giant Screen Cinema Association, September 2009

Film Facts

First film granted ground and aerial access in Mecca to the Holy Mosque and Ka'bah by King Abdullah.

Website

Film Website

To Mecca With Faith," The Times Colonist, May 1, 2009.
"The Long, Dustry Trek Toward Tolerance," New York Times, February 13, 2009.
"IMAX Producer Goes the Distance," Toronto Star, February 6, 2009.
"Which Way Is Mecca? Look Up...Way Up," Globe and Mail, February 7, 2009.
"Doc a Journey of Faith," canoe.ca, February 6, 2009.
Journey to Mecca: Spiritualizing Your IMAX Experience," National Post online, February 5, 2009.
"English, Arabic Film Reveals Journey to Mecca," Arabtimesonline.com, January 26, 2009.
"New Movie Promotes Islam's Message of Peace," GulfNews.com, January 7, 2009.
"Imagenation Abu Dhabi Announces World Premiere of Journey to Mecca," AME Info, January 7, 2009.
"Journey to Mecca Premieres January 7 in Abu Dhabi," press release, January 7, 2009.
"Cinematic Odyssey," The National, January 7, 2009.
"Film Follows Sacred Journey," The National, November 29, 2008.
"Journey to Mecca Star Chems Eddine Zinoun Remembered by Friends at SK Films and Cosmic Picture," press release, November 14, 2008.

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Film Details

Alternate Titles:
Released:
January 2009
Status: In Distribution
3D: No
Run Time: 40 minutes
Format: 15/70
Distributor:
SK Films Inc., National Geographic
Produced By:
Cosmic Picture, SK Films Inc.
Executive Producer: Jake Eberts
Producer: Producers: Dominic Cunningham-Reid, Taran Davies, Jonathan Barker. Co -producers: Dima Alansari, Sounia Benjelloun, Al-Zain Al-Sabah. Superivising Producer: Diane Roberts, Tony Thatcher. Line Producer: Daniel Ferguson
Director: Bruce Neibaur
Associate Producer:
Writer: Bruce Neibaur, Tahir Shah, Carl Knutson
Cinematography: Matthew Williams, Afshin Javdi (Mecca), Ghasem Ebrahimian (Mecca)
Sound Editor:
Visual Effects:
Music/Score: Michael Brook, A.J. Racy
Editor: Jean-Marie Drot
Narrator: Ben Kingsley
Other Credits: Starring: Chems Eddine Zinoun, Hassam Ghancy, Nadim Sawalha, Nabil Elouahabi
Sponsors: