The Great Mecca Feast (1928)

Digital copy of the documentary Het Groote Mekka-Feest (The Great Mecca Feast) shot in 1928 by the Dutch East Indian filmmaker George E.A. Krugers (1890-1964), who lived in Bandung, Java. The film covers the pilgrimage to Mecca from Java and back, including the sea voyage on board SS Madioen. The film is 72 minutes long, consists of four reels and was shot in the traditional 24 by 36 mm format. Krugers shot the scenes with a large and heavy but portable Bell & Howell (B&H) film camera. They are the oldest moving images of the Arabian Peninsula. The film was released in 1928.Original nitrate reels of the film are preserved in Museum Beeld & Geluid, Hilversum, and EYE, Amsterdam.