Celestial Birds



Studio: Est Vues Production
Written by: Omar Mugeem
Role: Concept art, Style development
Country: UAE
Year: 2023



In the magical realms of Alula, a heartbroken shepherd, haunted by his daughters’s untimely death, embarks on a mystical journey sacrificing everything in a desperate quest to resurrect her.







The region of Al-Ula, like much of the Arabian Peninsula, was home to various polytheistic beliefs and the worship of multiple deities. The people of Al-Ula, particularly the Lihyanites and Nabateans, worshipped a range of gods that were often associated with natural elements, fertility, and protection.











In the valley of Dedan, a shepherd and his jolly 5 years old Daughter lull a song of renewal and hope while herding their sheep on their way back home on a windy day.












Their peace is short-lived. Dark, foreboding storm clouds gather in the distance, signaling the need to retreat to safety. Rain falls filling the dam to its brim. As they hasten back, the storm intensifies and the dam cracks, unleashing a flood of biblical proportions upon Dedan. The Father and daughter get swept away by the merciless flood.

The Father miraculously alive, wakes up next to the body of his daughter, he tries to wake her up but to no avail. Grief-stricken, the Father brings her to the temple, pleading to the deity for mercy. 








Utilizing the power of an alchemical circle drawn with his blood, he begins an ancient resurrection ritual. He chants fervently, causing his ring, a symbol of his lineage and power, to glow with an unearthly light. He trades his age to bring her back to life. However, the forces he's attempting to harness are volatile. A thunderbolt, perhaps an act of divine retaliation, strikes the temple. 


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