The Book of the Sun (2020) شمس المعارف
Director: Faris Godus
Writers: Faris Godus, Sohayb Godus
Actors: Sohayb Godus, Baraa Alem, Ismail Alhassan, Ahmed Saddam, Eyad Ayman Kaifi
What makes a movie great? It is the age old question that many have been asking not just with film in particular but art in general. Beauty and Philosophy of Aesthetics have birthed an entire discussion around art and it’s essence in what makes it beautiful or not. It has been almost 11 years since the start of my film journey and I am still not able to answer this question. Of course I can tell you that a film needs believable acting, picturesque cinematography, a meaningful story structure, a hardhitting theme, a memorable soundtrack, and many more. But I would be a hypocrite if I did not admit that there have been films will of those features that I have despised., while on the opposite end there have been films without any of those aspects that I have loved. That is exactly what is being shown in The Book of the Sun. Sometimes you don’t need the best cinematography, greatest story, or even the best acting, you just need that special spark that is often always seen when a film is made of passion. Similar to how the characters are filled with passion to make a film, it is evidently a reflection upon Faris and Sohayb Godus who are making this film with immense passion and love. It is seen throughout every aspect of the film, and that alone is a big reason why I love this project.
The Book of the Sun is not a unique film. In the sense that the concept of a meta film in such a way has been done many times. But something about it being made in Saudi Arabia makes it feel much more special. Especially as an Arab man who grew up with dreams of one day creating a film that would end up being written about by critics as I am doing at this moment. Alas my time has passed but it doesn’t deter from the fact that I saw so much of myself in Hussam. So much so that anytime I recommend this film to any of my friends they come back to me and tell me how much I remind them of Hussam. That spark may have died in me but it is still amazing to see on screen from an Arabic film. You could tell that The Book of the Sun was made by people who love cinema. Just the way that Hussam speaks about film put such a smile to my face. It reminded me of the way I used to get all excited about Fight Club back in highschool and how I wanted everyone to experience what I did.
The Book of the Sun is brimming with style and energy. The story never lets up, as it grabbed my attention for the entire duration of the film. Its pacing is spot on and Godus uses brilliant editing to keep the story moving at a brisk pace without sacrificing character development. His editing feels similar to early Edgar Wright, with snappy montages, quick cuts, witty narration, and hilarious flashbacks. It is aptly edited this way which also mirrors the quick nature in which the characters are going about their own film. The story of Hussam’s journey to creating his “first feature film” is brilliant. What I loved most about it was how genuine the characters were. It feels as if I have met each and every one of them in real life. Ma’an is the friend you can always count on that though may mess up every once in a while, you cant help but forgive him. Ibrahim is the hype man that is always pushing the friends group to get up off their asses and start moving. Finally Orabi, is the adult in your life that has always kept his inner child locked away, only to suddenly release it to its full extent. All of these characters and more I have met throughout my life, whether it be in school, university, or even at work. It is a testament to the brilliant writing of the Godus brothers in how they are able to bring forth genuine characters on screen. It may be the most relatable film in my entire life. As an Arab kid growing up with this passion for cinema, I haven’t seen this much of myself in another character, and I am glad that the Godus brothers released this film.
The Book of the Sun may not have the best cinematography, or most engaging story, but what it does have is passion that spills out of every aspect of this film. It is a love letter to every Arab film nerd out there that may have felt weird or outcast during school. It is a love letter to anyone trying to follow their dreams, regardless of the eventual outcome. It is a love letter to Arabs in general, and how we are capable of producing such films even with minimal backing. I have been an advocate for Arab films for such a long time. I have been craving for something like this. The sudden rise of Independent Arab filmmaking has been a blessing, and I am confident that within the coming years we will see a Golden Age of Arabic cinema. Mark my words that within 5 years we will have produced a film that will rival the best of the best on the international stage. And I will be along for the ride, supporting in any way I can.
