Rise Industries

Though I know it is going to be a crappy, overblown, hollywood blockbuster of a film with an unnecessary romantic sub-plot, I am curious about how “Kingdom of Heaven” will portray both sides of the Crusades. Its a tricky film to make at this point in history – and has the potential to be either enlightening and mind opening (but think, from hollywood? And given the subject matter?) or just damaging to any deeper understanding between Muslim and Arab cultures and Christian and Western cultures.

On the upside, actor Khaled El Nabawy who plays Saladin in the film, has high hopes for its cross-cultural appeal and even-handedness. Since hollywood has an astounding power to shape opinion in the US, lets hope so.