| Subprograma
Media Acción Tipo de actividad Paises participantes UK
Fechas de inicio y fin Estado del proyecto ongoing Subvención
Coordinador URBAN CANYONS LIMITED UK
|
In 1565, a small force led by the last of the Crusader knights faces an overwhelming Ottoman military expedition. Both sides passionately believe in Jihad or Holy War, fighting without mercy for the future of Europe – all in the name of Allah and God. We look at the forgotten turning point in the struggle for Europe. In the 16th century, two-thirds of the Mediterranean and huge swathe of Europe and the Middle East are already in the hands of the Ottomans and their sophisticated Muslim Empire. The deeply divided Christian powers are under threat from the most modern and powerful army of its time. At stake is whether the continent will become Christian or Islamic.The dramatic story is told through the eyes of Halil, a press-ganged Christian boy, who with other young Macedonians is turned into ruthless elite soldiers of the Sultan, sworn to live and die for Islam. Over two episodes, Halil faces Raymond, an equally fanatical young French noble turned warrior monk. They face each other first as naval recruits and later as experienced officers during the Great Siege of Malta. This drama led documentary tells the intertwined tale of two young men caught up in the machinations of war and religion. At the end, Halil realises that both sides are equally cruel and loyal to their uncompromising beliefs.The cinematic action is supported by interviews with leading historians from the UK, Malta, and Turkey. In the 30% doc sections, we visit historic locations in Malta, Austria, Italy, and Turkey. 70% of the film consists of drama, supported by accomplished CGI for sea and land battles, the creation of Constantinople, and old Malta. The drama sections offer a mix of original European & Turkish languages reflecting the transcultural character of the siege. The costumes, fortifications, galleys, weapons, religious ceremonies, and the story lines of the lead characters are fact checked to give an accurate and unideological portrait of both warring sides. |