In pictures: Film stills from Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet

The project is produced by Salma Hayek and funded by the Doha Film Institute.

An animated adaptation of the 1923 philosophy classic Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet will feature the voice of Liam Neeson, while Salma Hayek voices a supporting character.

Mohammed Saeed Harib was picked to be one of the nine directors from around the world to direct a chapter of the book within Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet, all brought together by the Lion King director Roger Allers.

Mohammed Saeed Harib says being the only Arab among them, and the only director who hasn’t won or been nominated for an Oscar, was a challenge.

“Each director had the freedom to choose whatever style he wanted, to put his vision into it,” explains Harib. “It took me one year to produce a three-and-a-half-minute piece.”

The story is a series of philosophical poems, with each “chapter” of the movie covering a different theme such as Love, Marriage, Death, Crime and Punishment, and Good and Evil, which is Harib’s segment.

“Good and Evil is about taking a path,” says Harib. “Some people go on life’s journey with bold steps. Others dwell until they find themselves and take small steps, though they still reach their goal. I saw this in myself — it took me until I was 21 to blossom into my own.”

“I heard good feedback about it from Cannes,” says an upbeat Harib. “It’s one of those movies that is trying to do something different. So I hope it will be regarded for festivals and awards. That would be awesome.”

Stills from the animated adaptation of the Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran’s philosophy classic The Prophet which has tabbed nine directors from around the world to direct a chapter of the book. Photos courtesy Cannes Film Festival.