Photo: “taxi” by anna kipervaser – On Look FilmsSometimes something as random as the taxi you hail can open up a world of new friendship, conversation and interconnection. I got into a conversation with my cab driver – found out he was a musician (he was playing his band’s lovely music on the cab stereo) and invited him to my gig this Saturday at the Green Dolphin Street. Then I come home to find out – via Facebook – that he is a filmmaker who is teamed up with another dear person in my life who is finishing up a wonderful documentary entitled “Voices and Faces of the Adhan: Cairo.” Their film documents the thousand year old tradition of the “Adhan” or individual voice performing the Muslim call to prayer.
A single voice calls out into the open air and is picked up by others and turns into a symphony of voices calling the devout to prayer. It is beautiful and everyone has heard it at some point in their lives even if only as a background sound in a movie: e.g. The Hurt Locker or Indiana Jones. This oral tradition is being threatened as officials are going to do away with the live call and have it prerecorded and played over a sound system. Being that I am a vocalist and a huge fan of Middle Eastern, African and Asian vocalizations, I am always entranced by the lone voice singing anything a cappella. It is important that this gorgeous piece of culture and tradition be documented before it is lost forever. I can not wait for this film to be in the can and screenable.
Y’all know how I love movies and my friend is doing an exciting project. I have been a distant witness since the early stages and it is really wonderful to see this project near its completion. Of course now they must raise money and find distributors, do the film festival circuit – Oy Vey! But they have a gorgeous film and I have faith in it.
Check out some clips from the film as well as the wonderful short that they have produced to promote it on the On Look Films site: On Look Films
