Antar the Black Knight
With media and film all the buzz from the UAE, it's all the more important that Arabian characters are taken to the big screen. Due to take to the big screen in 2012, we potentially have on our movie screens the coming of the first Arab hero. Antar the Black Knight certainly looks exciting, and we spoke with Michelle Nicholson who heads up Mirage Holdings, the company behind the project.
How did you find out about Antar?
I get asked a lot about how did I find out about the Antar character? I was introduced to the story by an Emirati business associate. After getting a short brief, I decided to do research into the character and story.
Who is Antar the Black Knight?
While Antar historically was a slave son of the Arab Prince Shedad and an African slave woman, Zabiba, his story is one everyone can relate to. In structure, it adheres to the classic “Hero’s Journey” or “Monomyth” as described by American writer and scholar, Joseph Campbell. This being; “That a story or myth from disparate times and regions, share fundamental structures and stages.” The narrative of these stories, no matter what the background of the story is, is familiar to all cultures.
Is Antar a hero or Superhero?
While the legend of Antar has some “super human qualities” it is important to remember that such a person did exist. He is remembered still by his legacy of poetry contained in the Mu’allaqat, also known as the Hanged Poems. This was a collection of pre-Islamic poems, which were hung in the Ka’aba in Mecca.
We always hear about Gulf projects that have not taken off and crossed over to the West? Is Antar the one?
The project is being done as a Hollywood film for an International audience. However, the essences of Antar’s character remains true to the legend of the Arab hero. We feel this is the story’s strong point and why it has been well received in Hollywood. Antar’s story is the journey we all take; are we good enough? Can we succeed against insurmountable odds? Who will stand for the oppressed and the weak? What about love?
Who would you compare Antar to?
Antar the Black Knight is a new breed of Hero, and one that is long overdue. Half Arab and half African, he follows in the path of other classic movie heroes, Luke Skywalker, Prince Aragon, King Arthur and Robin of Loxley.
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How did you find out about Antar?
I get asked a lot about how did I find out about the Antar character? I was introduced to the story by an Emirati business associate. After getting a short brief, I decided to do research into the character and story.
Who is Antar the Black Knight?
While Antar historically was a slave son of the Arab Prince Shedad and an African slave woman, Zabiba, his story is one everyone can relate to. In structure, it adheres to the classic “Hero’s Journey” or “Monomyth” as described by American writer and scholar, Joseph Campbell. This being; “That a story or myth from disparate times and regions, share fundamental structures and stages.” The narrative of these stories, no matter what the background of the story is, is familiar to all cultures.
Is Antar a hero or Superhero?
While the legend of Antar has some “super human qualities” it is important to remember that such a person did exist. He is remembered still by his legacy of poetry contained in the Mu’allaqat, also known as the Hanged Poems. This was a collection of pre-Islamic poems, which were hung in the Ka’aba in Mecca.
We always hear about Gulf projects that have not taken off and crossed over to the West? Is Antar the one?
The project is being done as a Hollywood film for an International audience. However, the essences of Antar’s character remains true to the legend of the Arab hero. We feel this is the story’s strong point and why it has been well received in Hollywood. Antar’s story is the journey we all take; are we good enough? Can we succeed against insurmountable odds? Who will stand for the oppressed and the weak? What about love?
Who would you compare Antar to?
Antar the Black Knight is a new breed of Hero, and one that is long overdue. Half Arab and half African, he follows in the path of other classic movie heroes, Luke Skywalker, Prince Aragon, King Arthur and Robin of Loxley.
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