Animated Film ‘Bilal’ Inspired By an Ethiopian Slave Who Became ‘Voice Of Islam’ Gets Full Trailer

Remember when we reported on the teaser for Bilal: A New Breed of Hero, Barajoun Entertainment’s inaugural film last year?  Well, the official trailer is here, and it’s perfectly timed with the film’s premiere for Animation Day at Cannes Film Festival on May 14 ― a major milestone for the Dubai-housed animation studio.

Featuring the voice of British-Nigerian “Lost” actor Adewale Akinnuoya-Agbaje, who will double as producer, the CG-animated production is inspired by real life superhero Bilal Ibn Rabah, a former slave from Ethiopia who converted to Islam and became Prophet Muhammed’s confidante.

Here’s a quick summary via Shadow and Act:

A thousand years ago, one boy with a dream of becoming a great warrior is abducted with his sister and taken to a land far away from home. Thrown into a world where greed and injustice rule all, Bilal finds the courage to raise his voice and make a change. Inspired by true events, this is a story of a real hero who earned his remembrance in time and history.

The animation, having been in production for eight years, is slated for a September 2016 release. It has distribution in the Middle East, but is still looking for a home with USA and European distributors, according to its producer and Shadow and Act.

While we wait for the film’s debut, watch the official full trailer above.