Released On the first day of 21st century, A Voice From Heaven (2001) is probably the best documentary ever made in the beloved memory of legendary Sufi qawwali singer, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
I, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan,I am a sinner, man of heart impure and dark, it is like a mantle that is dotted with spots of stain and dirt.
The recital of Allah’s Name purifies the heart, thats what I do all the time, recite the words. This is my job, my task, my favorite hobby.
I am a fakir, a beggar for Allah and wander the streets shouting His Name. Remember God in pain, in pleasure; He will wash away the pain. People remember God only when they are in adversity, if they remember Him in good times, they will never have pain and will never experience adversity.” – Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, ‘A Voice from Heaven’.
Filmed in Pakistan
“It just seemed like, the music would start and something would open in him and this beautiful sound would come out … its just fantastic.” – Rick Rubin, President of American Recordings.
“There is an element in Qawwali, I think part of the goal is to induce ecstasy in people, as it is in Gospel Music. I think they are very similar actually. And I think in order to do that there needs a high degree of passion.” – Michael Brook
The documentary traces the life and music of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and include interviews with Nusrat and musicians who helped bring his work to Western audiences, explorations of the tradition and philosophy of Pakistani music, and a performance by his nephew Rahat.
Release Date: 01/01/2000,
Runtime: 1 hr 18 mins
Genre: Music
Director: Giuseppe Asaro
Cast: Rick Rubin, Michael Brook, Imran Badsah Khan
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql3TmuXVCaw]