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jhonmilton
Reviews
Bilal: A New Breed of Hero (2015)
Promising start for UAE animation
Bilal is the debut of Dubai-based Barajoun Entertainment, and the first animated feature film to come out of the United Arab Emirates. In a mythical desert kingdom rendered in careful detail, a young slave strives for freedom. With spectacular set pieces and a sweeping scope, Bilal starts off on the right foot for a debut effort.
Bilal evokes animated blockbusters but manages to avoid being an imitator. Even though the story follows the standard Hollywood beats for an action flick, this is a film that bears the imprint of where it was made in the UAE. This sense of place is subtle – the ever-changing deserts, for example — but nonetheless present and welcome.
This is contrasted with the conspicuous decadence of the wealthy merchants, who worship only money. A roly-poly slave trader with a gigantic toothy smile is an entertaining supporting character among their numbers. A compassionate priest secretly takes Bilal under his tutelage, and he learns that the merchants are themselves slaves – to greed, power, and fear. Although the tone is light-hearted this is a film that grapples with some big questions. The comic relief comes from a bumbling supporting cast and physical comedy, instead of the ironic pop-culture quips common to American fare.
There is some striking effects animation in the film, especially in a dream sequence in which Bilal battles a gargantuan idol made of glowing sand.