subject: Dvd Rental For Ramadan [print this page] So, as you may or may not know, Ramadan is coming up in a few months or so.
It's a month-long Muslim festival of day time fasting (sawm) as well as of prayer and reading the Qur'an.
So whether you're a Muslim looking for something to something to take your mind off your rumbling stomach or you just feel like marking the event in your own way, it's a perfect time for DVD rental.
Here are some film picks for this time of year.
First, since Ramadan is a time to think about our place in the world, how about a wildlife documentary or a real environmental blockbuster such as 'An Inconvenient Truth'.
These are films designed to bring a greater awareness and understanding of the wider world, both noble aims during this time.
The second way you could go is with some cinematic representations of the Muslim world.
Try 'Kingdom of Heaven' starring Orlando Bloom for an example of Muslim military general of yore, Saladin.
Saladin is a not only a good Muslim and all round good guy - at one point, he offers his leprosy-afflicted enemy access to his doctors - the movie is apparently based on fact and I've read that the parts about Saladin at least are actually quite accurate.
Another one worth a rent is Moustapha Akkad's The Message. It's from the '70s and is about Muhammad's life and that of his family.
Obviously, the film has a major challenge - depicting Muhammad is forbidden - so, in accordance with these beliefs, the film uses an interesting mix of minor character point of view and the prophet's own point of view.
This rule extends to his Muhammad's wives, his daughters, his sons-in-law, and his caliphs are also not depicted in deference to tradition which leaves Anthony Quinn in the lead role as the uncle of the prophet Mohammed.
These films are all available from major DVD rental site such as Lovefilm.
In a similar vein to the film about but bought more up to date is 'Journey to Mecca'.
It's only 45-minutes long and it's an educational film rather than a narrative as such.
It's about Ibn Buttutah, who travelled from Tangier in 1325 to make his pilgrimage to Mecca but then found himself on a much longer spiritual journey that took him all over the world. The story includes modern footage of the pilgramage, including some stunning over head shots of pilgrims circling the Ka'ba.
This film isn't yet available on DVD but when it does come out it'll be available on mainstream sites such as Blockbuster DVD rental.
Finally, a slightly controversial choice since it doesn't really portray Muslims as such, is Persepolis.
The film is banned in Iran and was initially banned in Lebanon too but an national and international outcry secured its release. The film's descriptions of Iran are really fascinating.
Also worth a rent for pure enjoyment is a DVD of stand up acts called 'Allah Made me Funny'.
