Selection

Screening: Professional Competition 7
Czech Republic 2024
Duration: 14:00
Directed: Jan Cechl
Production: Radim Procházka
Dialogue Language: No Dialogue

The Catholic clergyman Alois Musil is one of the most important discoverers of the archaeological treasures of the Muslim world. He was caught in the Middle East by WW1. The Austrian government at that time wanted to turn him into a spy, which is why he is known today as the „Moravian Lawrence of Arabia“. The printed sheets of Musil‘s travelogues inspired the director and artist Jan Cechl to create traditional, semi-plastic puppets that experience dangerous adventures in the fairy-tale Orient, full of fiery genie and Bedouin wisdom. As a Sheikh Músa ar Ruelli, the Moravian priest becomes a wild nomad of the desert, and during a dangerous expedition he discovers the lost Amra Castle, which makes him famous throughout the world. At the same time it is also a playful reference to one of the most valuable jewels of world cinema - the film Lawrence of Arabia by David Lean.