Review of The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam (2005) by Owen 'Mshengu' G — 04 Jun 2008

"The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam".

I received an "evite" to attend a private (full-house) screening of "The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam" at "E" Street Cinema, Washington, DC - with Director/Producer/Writer Kayvan Mashayekh, Professor Mehdi Aminrazavi (renowned authority on Omar Khayyam) and Production/Wardrobe/Set Designer Michelle Milosh present, for a Q&A session following the screening.

The scenery/imagery and set design was fabulous, as was the plot/manner in which Kayvan Mashayekh chose to relate/present this captivating narrative. It was obvious that his intention was not to force-feed nor influence the viewing public along any single line of thought or belief, for every viewer develops their own interpretation of any audio/visual/sensory work of art.

The acting was not overdone - with subtle nuances carrying the unspoken thoughts with uncanny strength of conviction - the switching back and forth between the old (Iran) and current (Houston, London & Iran) artfully portrayed. The constant use of Farsi had a special/poignant touch to it.

It truly transcends the narrow confines of the isolationist aspect of various religious beliefs - who base their doctrines on blind faith. After all; is not the purpose of religion not universal; to find one's own path )tradional or through spiritual pursuits) to achieve a closer/deeper connection with our Creator?

The importance, value and essence in carrying on the oral traditions - keeping valued lessons of various cultures alive, is emphasised throughout - especially by those who live in the diaspora - in far off lands - whether by choice or necessity - regardless of ethnicity, religious or political beliefs.

Naturally, along with the handful of Iranians/Persians present, a few Muslim fundamentalist types were there to voice/display their ignorance; haranguing the director - trying to disrupt/sabotage the proceedings with pointed questions/jabs concerning the accuracy of his production. They felt that Kayvan Mashayekh had taken liberties - thus failing to present the "pure" Islamic view (whatever they were trying to make that out to be ...).

Since when did mainstream Islam and the fundamentalists ever give respect or credence to the various Sufi masters and their respective orders?

These critics seemed to be totally out of touch with what it means to interpret a story/history as one wishes; let alone what it takes to produce a low-budget "indie movie" such as this ... grrrrrr.

Of course I stood up and posed a few comments and questions myself (without letting on about my own checkered Mussalman past ...) Besides thanking Kayvan Mashayekh - applauding him for the pace and presentation - his right in exercising poetic licence, I wanted to draw attention to and complementing him as to what a monumentous task he had succeeded in overcoming and what he had achieved - with limited financial and time contraints.

It seemed to have the desired effect upon those naysayers, for they left - slunk away without further ado. Or, was it the fact that I too, delivered my own subtle jab at them; especially when I asked Kayvan Mashayekh what response he had received from various sectors of the "so-called" Islamic public - fundamentalist vs. mainstream vs. Sufi's - over the past 25 weeks of selective screenings?

Kayvan Mashayekh responded that until "those types" (whom he gestured towards) had harangued him - just prior to my taking the floor; he had never encountered any negativity. In fact, he/the film had actually received accolades from many non-Muslims, especially a priest at a screening in Los Angeles, who broke down crying at the completion of the movie.

Apart from this, "The Keeper" has already proven to be very successful in raising considerable monies at charity screenings - aimed at serving various children's homes/centres and related services.

â??The Keeperâ?? made its Houston premiere June 26 with a blockbuster charity bash that raised $91,000 for that cityâ??s Texas Childrenâ??s Cancer Center, where several scenes were filmed. It opens in October on the East Coast, with its European release to be launched Nov. 6 with a charity gala in London.

I mentioned to Professor Aminrazavi about a dear friend's father Dr/Professor/Ustad Khalil Khatib-Rahbar - (a renowned Sufi scholar/writer from Kirman, Iran) being largely instrumental in helping to rekindle the Nimatullah Sufi Order - details of which Professor Mehdi Aminrazavi seemed to be familiar with; although (thanks to my ADHD) I had forgotten the names of Dr. Jarvad Nurbakhsh - the current leader of the order, along with Ali Delavar Kiraien - guardian of the Nimatullah khanaqah in Los Angeles, CA - making myself come across as a bit of an absent-minded type ... grrrrr ...

Hopefully, this work of art will make "extended rounds" throughout the US of A as well as abroad: UK, Canada, Northern Africa, Middle East, South Africa, Pakistan and India.

Sharif shah-bilal.