The Ornament of the World
Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m.
Repeats Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 1 a.m.
Also airs on Fusion on Friday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m.
Explore a story from the past that is especially relevant today: a remarkable time in medieval Spain when Muslims, Christians and Jews forged a common cultural identity that frequently transcended their religious differences.
From 711, when Muslim armies swept across the Mediterranean, until 1492, when Christian power was consolidated under King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the era lasted almost 800 years. During this period, known as La Convivencia, the intermingling of these three groups led to a vibrant shared culture of arts, architecture, science, music and letters, raising Spain to dazzling heights of glory and power.
A fascinating journey through the cities at the center of the story—Cordoba, Seville, Toledo and Granada—the film reveals what made this rare and fruitful collaboration possible, and what ultimately tore it apart. Blending evocative location cinematography with dramatic animation, the film is based on the book by Maria Rosa Menocal and directed by Michael Schwarz.
Visit the ORNAMENT OF THE WORLD website. |