Bab'Aziz

Tunisian filmmaker Nacer Khemir spins an exquisite, mystical tone poem revolving around an elderly blind dervish named Bab'Aziz (Parviz Shahinkhou), traveling by foot across a desert with his granddaughter Ishtar (Maryam Hamid). The pair are ostensibly headed toward a gathering of dervishes, although Bab'Aziz claims to have no idea where or when the convocation will take place (but trusts that his faith will lead him there). To amuse Ishtar along the way, Bab'Aziz relates the strange story of a handsome prince who chases a gazelle across the sands, only to discover a desert spring that brings out his contemplative awareness to such a degree that he abandons his life of luxury to ponder questions of the soul. The old man and little girl also encounter other travelers en route to the fabled meeting, each of whom shares a life-changing experience. Mahmoud Kalari's cinematography vibrantly captures the complexities and subtlety of the desert and other settings (Bab'Aziz was shot in Tunisia and Iran) as well as the colorful costumes. Backed by a Sufi-influenced soundtrack serving up hypnotic music, this unusual and enchanting film is highly recommended. (P. Hall)