On the fictional island of Orphalese, Almitra, an 8-year-old girl, meets Mustafa, a political prisoner under house arrest. Against all odds, their meeting turns into friendship. That same day, the authorities tell Mustafa he will be released, with guards sent to immediately escort him to the boat that will take him back to his native country. On his way, Mustafa shares his poems and his vision of life with the people of Orphalese. Almitra, following discreetly, sees his words in dream sequences that are visually dazzling. But when she realizes that the guards’ intentions are much less noble than previously announced, she does everything possible to help her friend. Will she be able to save him?

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The Prophet is an amazing journey. Adapted from the writings of Lebanese poet Khalil Gilbran, this movie by Roger Allers (director of The Lion King, co-writer of Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin), produced and developed for years by actress Salma Hayek (who voices the heroine’s mother), sets the poetic and philosophical words of the bestseller to a lively, surprising melody, enhanced by the worlds of Tomm Moore (Song of the Sea), Joann Sfar (The Rabbi's Cat) and Paul and Gaetan Brizzi, who were invited to illustrate the stories through eight short segments. This choice, which gives the film multiple dimensions, makes The Prophet a haunting work that maintains its mystery despite fragile pacing. And although the beauty of the text sometimes gets lost in readings that are a little artificial and heavy, the movie remains beautiful and respectable enough to overcome most of its weaknesses.