In the footsteps of Wahab... A true story documentary

Based on the script of the film and its story from a real events, through the scenes of a documentary film that highlighted the time stations occupied by the chapters of that story. Mr. Hassanein Kadhem Abu al-Hail, the author of the film (in the footsteps of Wahab), came from the European continent to the Holy Karbala to witness the filming of his documentary work.

"I feel proud and pleased to see my words being turned into a movie that will be shown by media platforms at the Al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine,"says Abu al-Hail.

Abu al-Hail, a writer and author, seeks to spread the teachings of Islam and spread the commandments of the imams of Ahl al-Bayt(peace be upon them) in artistic and popular circles, through televised documentary works.
The media department at the Al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine, represented by the Al-Kafeel Center for artistic production, was built to shoot and direct the film.

The head of the media department, Mr. Ali al-Badri, is keen to produce works of art capable of reducing the impact of the suspicious cultural invasion of Muslim and other communities.

"The challenges are facing all those who live in this accelerated time, after technology has invaded people's homes and crowded cultures on the screens of children and adults, and intellectual flatness and naivety have spread,"says al-Badri.

"These challenges represent a humanitarian crisis in the lives of peoples at this time,"he adds.

"We have to deal with these social variables and present ideas and values in ways that suit this accelerated, short and diverse time,"he stressed.

He pointed out that"the Al-Abbas's(p) holy shrine has a large collection of visual works, including feature films and documentaries that tell the stories of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and their esteemed companions".

The Al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine has already adopted the establishment of the Department of Intellectual and Cultural Affairs, the Department of Islamic Knowledge Affairs, the Department of the Scientific Complex of the Holy Quran, the supreme authority for the revival of heritage, as well as the media department and many research, cultural and scientific centers that provide the community with Islamic culture.

The real story of the film takes place in the state of Lausanne, Switzerland, specifically, where the author and the hero of the film (Sylvan) lived, as Abu al-Hail tells that they had a strong friendship that resulted in the conversion of his friend Sylvan to the Islamic religion and the following of the Ja'fari sect specifically, before he proposed to marry one of his sisters, as he says.

The film simulates what the younger generations are exposed to from deviant influences and the loss of Identity, Faith and good human norms.

Sylvan, who works as an architect, hails from a conservative Christian family of Swiss origin, and after years of acquaintance and company wity Aby al-Hail, he and his family preferred to convert to Islam.

"Thank God I was born into a close-knit and religious family that taught me respect, hard work, and gave me everything I wanted,"he says.

"My family is divided between Catholics and Protestants, and I have become, thank God, a Shia Muslim,"he adds.
Abu al-Hail believes that what prompted him to write down this incident and his quest to turn it into a dramatic film is an urgent and Missing need for the younger generations, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

"The film had wide and influential echoes, especially in Europe,"he said.

"I have been contacted by several cases that have shown their great sympathy for the story of the hero of the film, in addition to expressing their gratitude for the historical facts that the film reviewed,"he added.

The title of the film (in the footsteps of Wahab) was quoted from the name of one of the martyrs of the immortal at-Taf tragedy in the year 61 AH, Wahab ibn Abdullah al-Kalabi or Wahab Ibn Habab Al-Kalabi, who was a Christian, along his wife and mother, until he met Imam al-Hussayn(peace be upon him), converted to Islam and accompanied him until he was martyred with him on the day of Ashura.

For his part, director Azhar Khamis, head of the historical and cinematic films unit at the Al-Kafeel Center for artistic production of the Al-Abbas's (p) Shrine, attributes the release of several documentary films that contribute to spreading Islamic culture in the hearts of young people by appealing to emotions.

He says, "Islamic history is full of timeless events and attitudes, especially with regard to the biography of the prophet and the holy imams (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon them), which in themselves are capable of correcting and rationalizing the behavior of young people and developing their ideological knowledge, "adding," those noble biographies were translated into documentary films by the cadres of the media department at the Al-Abbas's (p) holy shrine". He pointed out, "Al–Kafeel Center produced the film Kabir Sahaba, which embodies the character of Abu Talib(peace be upon him), and was directed in the style of (Deco-drama), as well as the film of Lady Khadija(peace be upon her) entitled"Lady Quraysh", the film of Salman al-Mohammadi and his story with the Jews and the Christians, as well as the film "Aba Khumrah", a film that mimics the biography of Al-Qasim (peace be upon him), and many documentaries.

He continued, " work is currently underway on the production of a Muslim bin Aqeel film (peace be upon him)," and concludes his speech, by saying, "we aspire to establish and equip a film city in Karbala".