Touching yet informative, historical drama The Lady of Heaven authentically examines terrorism, religion and motives

The Lady of Heaven begins with a young Iraqi child (Laith) playing with his friend before quickly being interrupted by a group of terrorists arriving with the seemingly sole purpose of causing chaos. Soon after, Laith witnesses his mother’s execution at the hands of the same terrorists and is thankfully saved by a soldier. The soldier takes Laith to the home of a doting grandmother (Bibi), who begins to tell Laith the tale of “The Lady.” 

Through hearing Lady Fatima’s story, Laith learns of her suffering as the first victim of terrorism that has since spiraled into the 21st century. The same terrorism and terror groups that are plaguing Laith’s life and family are present in current times. 

The Lady’s story kicks off the dueling timelines of The Lady of Heaven. Viewers are soon going back and forth between The Lady’s oppression and struggle and Laith’s plight with the same terror groups hundreds of years later. 

Intentional or not, the conflicting timelines highlight the advancements within and the industry that is warfare. From bows and arrows to assault rifles and bombs, viewers are brought along the progression of an industry founded in creating the most efficient violence. Brutal, graphic and immersive, all violent scenes draw viewers into the conflict. Clearly, producers put meticulous thought and effort into this production to maintain a feeling of authenticity and resonance. 

Speaking of the producers, to create The Lady of Heaven, director Eli King and writer Sheikh Al-Habib joined creative consultant Academy Award winner John Stephenson OBE. Executive producers Richard Rionda Del Castro, Irakli Chikvaidze, Abdul Malik Shlibak, producers Matthew Kuipers and the Enlightened Kingdom rounded out the team. 

Alongside these hugely talented leaders, The Lady of Heaven features Ray Fearon (Beauty And The Beast), Christopher Sciueref (300: Rise Of An Empire), Mark Anthony Brighton (Doctor Strange), Denise Black (Coronation Street) as Bibi, and Lucas Bond (Summerland) as Jamal. Along with Sami Karim (The Looming Tower) as Khalid, Albane Courtois (Gentleman Jack) as Fatima Lanrawi, Matthew Brenher (Spy Wars) as Mukhayreeq, Chris Jarman (Tattoo Fixers) as Bilal, Yasmin Mwanza (Spider-Man: Far From Home) as Fidda, Dimitri Andreas (Layer Cake) as Salman, and Oscar Garland (DES) as Raed.

Additionally, many religious experts dedicated themselves, alongside the cast and crew, to depict the holy figures and storylines that make up The Lady of Heaven. Ultimately brought to audiences by Hannibal Media and Enlightened Kingdom, The Lady of Heaven is a touching yet informative film. 

The informative aspect of this film takes two roles. First, the film depicts the historical roots of ISIS, giving viewers a look into this infamous terrorist group’s origins. Second, the film examines Lady Fatima’s history, alongside the origins, motives and history of the terror groups still present in our world.

Many people, myself included, have grown up in an era where we see the effects and hear the horrors of the actions these terror groups carry out. However, many of us have not been taught why these groups exist or why they are choosing the paths they take. The Lady of Heaven provides a thought-provoking look into the potential rationale of these groups. 

“The Lady is held dear in the hearts of billions worldwide, but her story has never been shared through film,” the filmmakers explain. “Her story is a universal one that we can all learn from, teaching us the best response to corruption and power-hungry politicians. She is a powerful and important historical character that many in the world have never been introduced to.” 

The movie wraps with Laith stopping his friend from the beginning of the film from bombing a mosque. Laith is successful, and the next scene shows Laith on a talk show explaining what he has learned. Ultimately, The Lady of Heaven is an informative and touching film that examines terror groups, religious histories, political viewpoints, and internal values.