"New Animated Feature ‘Bilal’ Tells The Story Of Ethiopian Slave Who Became ‘Voice Of Islam’"

"Dubai-based animation and special effects studio Barajoun Entertaiment has revealed the teaser trailer for its first feature project, titled Bilal. The animated film is inspired by the true story of Bilal Ibn Rabah, a freed slave of Ethiopian origin who converted to Islam and became a trusted companion of the Prophet Muhammad after his emancipation. Impressed by Bilal’s sonorous voice and unwavering faith, Muhammad handpicked him to call Muslims to prayer as Islam’s first muezzin. Bilal’s descendants are also believed to have established the Mali Empire’s Keita Dynasty. "
http://www.okayafrica.com/news/bilal-film-ethiopian-slave-islams-first-muezzin-animated-feature/

I am really struck by this because I think it's the first time I have ever seen a person of my own race depicted in this kind of setting - having a deep history with like a real building and like laundry drying and not being all spears-and-lions and running in for 2 minutes during a plot about white people. Like, oh, we have stories and histories and narratives and normalcies as well.