Inside Mecca (2003) (TV)

Director:

Anisa Mehdi

Release Date:

1 March 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

National Geographic Television

film worth watching

Before watching the documentary I had little education and experience with the Muslim culture. After having the chance to view the film i was amazed at the way you were immersed into the lives of the Muslims that were being followed. You are given the opportunity to see and travel the road just like you would if you were in fact participating. The film also does a good job at explaining the biblical theories behind the rituals that are being performed as well. Without this I think that many people would have a harder time relating to the experiences. Both people of no or different religious backgrounds can watch this film and just learn. The only thing that I saw wrong with the video was the fact that there was no Arib. I would have found it interesting to have seen the pilgrimage from their point of view as well. They did a good job at showing a woman's point of view as well as two men of different economical stages in their lives. On a side note the makers did not only just focus on the religious aspects of the hajj but also the racial and gender issues that come into play. All in all though I think that this film could be used to broaden the horizons of those with only the stereotypes to base fact on.