A journey imbued with good and evil, intimacy, and compassion, "Flaming Souls" tells a story marked by hardships and unfair challenges, ultimately costing its protagonist his life. The film centers on Salman, a young man with a mental growth disability, who faces significant difficulties in his life. Despite the villagers' affection for him, he struggles to get along with his stepfather and half-brother, Khalid.
In an effort to escape his burdens, Salman takes Khalid's guitar, seeking solace in its strings. A group of young men praise him and invite him on a trip, which he hopes will be a chance for relaxation and enjoyment. However, these supposed friends exploit his mental condition, cruelly mocking him, and ultimately leading to his tragic death when he falls from a cliff.
Meanwhile, Khalid's life takes a starkly different direction as he becomes excessively addicted to video games. This addiction gradually results in aggressive behavior, making him a danger to those around him, including his friends.
At an exclusive preview held recently, the film captivated viewers not just with the storyline but also with the stunning filming locations shown on the film. It was shot in Wilayat Al Hamra, renowned for its agriculture and heritage. Additionally, the water pond scenes were filmed in Wilayat Bahla, while the large pond featured in the film's conclusion was located in Wilayat Samail.
Director Yaqoub al Khanjari explained, "We chose this idea for several reasons, including scenes inspired by real stories and incidents, and our concern about the dangers of video games. It was important to highlight this issue, as well as the issue of people with intellectual disabilities and growth deficiencies addressed in the film. These are very sensitive topics that society continues to grapple with."
He added, "Our experience with this film was wonderful, despite the many challenges we faced and learned from. We traveled to various areas and provinces in the Sultanate to find the right climate for filming. The film is now available on the Ayn platform, and we are currently participating in numerous forums and festivals."
Despite filmmaking being an expensive endeavour and the country still fully to lmprove and develop the film industry infrastructure including production studios, funding bodies, and professional networks, these challenges haven't stopped Omani filmmakers to create their unique masterpieces. Al Khanjari is one of the few who has ventured into creating scripted film with the hope of putting unique Oman stories on the screen.
Sama Issa, an Omani poet and writer who attended the film preview, remarked, "This experience has consistently attracted the interest of behavioral scientists and filmmakers from various intellectual and artistic backgrounds."
He added that the scenes were characterized by intensity and compassion, highlighted by the mother's kindness, the father's hatred, the villagers' mercy, and the moral weakness of some youths who ultimately led to Salman's destruction.
Dr. Amal Al-Harmali, a university professor, writer, researcher, and trainer, said, "I watched 20-year-old Salman as he gathered flowers in his small palm-frond basket and then released them to the wind in the village. I found it poetic and metaphorical that he wants to spread their fragrance so it reaches the different people in the village."
She added, "Director Yaqoub Al Khanjari captivated viewers, making them fall in love with the place. Scenes of Oman's beauty—the vast green fields, the sunrise, plowing, sheep raising, and the cool water ponds that provide refuge on hot summer days—transported us back to when the village was the most beautiful place in the world."
Reflecting on her own experience, she said, "As a child, my village surrounded me from all sides, and I dreamed of seeing the world. I grew up and saw the world and discovered that it's not the places that make the birds sing in the heart."
Dr. Amal described Salman's village as enchanting but harboring much poison in its fangs, injecting it into the vulnerable through contempt, belittlement, and humiliation of those different from them.
Al-Harmali added, "In many houses, schools, playgrounds, and roads, there are individuals like Salman who face bullying, mockery, and exclusion. These children are often not seen as normal by many people."
Among those in attendance, they are of general consensus that the stories of Oman, while confined within the villages, have more global impact and relatibility.
One attendee noted that he is happy to see that "many emerging Omani filmmakers are focusing on storytelling that reflects Omani culture, traditions, and contemporary issues. This includes exploring themes such as identity, social change, and the juxtaposition of tradition and modernity."
One industry watcher also added that right now, participating in local and international film festivals and competitions is a popular way for Omani filmmakers to gain exposure. Events like the Muscat International Film Festival provide a platform for showcasing local talent.
"These talents needed to be honed and supported and with the rich history and tradition, Oman can be the perfect breeding ground for powerful storytelling," the industry watcher commented.
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