Stories based on real characters may not be a recipe for box office success, but Ayman Jamal’s animated movie “Bilal” aims to bring forward the inspiring story of a real life hero to young and adult audiences. It is the most prestigious CG-animated movie to come out of the Middle East that is both empowering and inspiring in its call for social justice and equality.
Inspired by the real-life story of Bilal Ibn Rabah, an African slave who became one of the most well-known names in Islamic history, Jamal, the film’s director and producer, has not only narrated a story of a hero that has managed to achieve heights and overcome obstacles, but has also let the audience experience Bilal’s journey that was filled with struggles and how ultimately it led to success.
“Bilal” will premiere on Animation Day at the Cannes Film Festival 2016 alongside some heavyweight international names. Jamal tells Arab News about the prestigious nomination and his inspirational journey.

Please tell us a little bit about your background.
I completed my studies in MBA with marketing specialization and took courses in production and filmmaking. For the past 10 years, I was involved in the business of advertising, media production and marketing campaigns. However, I was always hooked to storytelling and filmmaking. Moreover, I had the pleasure of working with hundreds of talented people over the years, especially for this movie.

What sparked your interest in filmmaking?
Well, technically I’ve always had an interest in giving it a shot. Besides, I have always been interested in telling stories about heroes that history has forgotten. I was precise to tell the audience the history not through a book, but via a movie, which is an effective form of conveying inspirational messages to the youth.
While growing up I was fond of animated movies and in making them, I fell in love with the process. I think that’s how it actually starts. You just start doing it and then the rest just falls into place.

First of all congratulations on the nomination of ‘Bilal’, which is set to open the Animation day at the Cannes Film Festival 2016. For those unfamiliar with the movie “Bilal”, can you tell us a little about the movie and the character?
The film offers the humanity lessons for timeless faith, hope and self-discovery. It is a story based on the life of the historical figure Bilal Ibn Rabah, an African slave who lived in the Arabian Peninsula and became one of the heroes of his era. The movie focuses on the character’s resilience to face the danger, his role as a guardian and protector of his younger sister after both were abducted as children. His strong beautiful voice was a real gift from the Creator. It was the voice that called for justice and against inequality. Bilal brings out a new dimension to the duality of a superhero.
The movie is set in Makkah around a thousand years ago, when Bilal finds himself with his sister under the hopelessness of captivity. He bears many burdens of life in his childhood from which he discovers inner strength he did not know he possessed before. The story reveals the brave side of Bilal on how he raises his voice and chooses his own path that everything is possible with faith and his faith was able to undo his handcuffs and set him free.
Apart from the animation factor, it is a strong story that narrates fascinating glimpses of history with plenty of emotional moments. Also, the costumes and the backgrounds give a realistic impression of the historical period.

Why did you choose to tell Bilal’s story?
I chose to tell Bilal’s story for two reasons. On the one hand, it’s a simple story of a 7-year-old boy who faced injustice and tyranny and then became one of the most prominent figures in history who have called for justice and equality. And on the other hand, it’s about a lot of things that are much bigger and teach important lessons from the history of this region, lessons of emancipation and egalitarianism. The combination of these two things is what I thought was very powerful.

How does it feel like to be nominated to premier at the animation ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival?
I think it’s anybody’s dream to be participating in such a festival, especially one like the Cannes Film Festival because it’s one of the most established film festivals and the most prestigious. A number of movies with astounding work are predicted to be

source:

http://www.islamicnewsdaily.com/nations/gulf/saudi-arabia/bilal-bring-muslim-heros-story-cannes-screen/

http://books.islamstory.com/en/artical/19553/Bilal-Muslim-hero-story-Cannes-screen