Academy Award-winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley has completed filming of “Whispers of Wisdom”, a new film series telling the stories of pioneering scholars from Uzbekistan and the broader region.
Created for the Centre for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan it is a major international production bringing together Uzbek and international filmmakers and award-winning Executive Producer Ahmed Salim, founder of 1001 Foundation. The series is being developed with Spectre Films (UZ) and includes Director Shokhrukh Rasulov, Producer Gayrat Muminov, and Director of Photography Max Tsui.
For Ahmed Salim, the project marks a special reunion with Sir Ben Kingsley following their earlier collaboration on the acclaimed short film “1001 Inventions and the Library of Secrets”, produced as part of the global 1001 Inventions initiative. That film helped introduce millions of people around the world to a richer understanding of the history of science and received more than twenty international awards.
“Working with Sir Ben Kingsley again is a huge honour,” said Ahmed Salim. “Our earlier collaboration showed the extraordinary power of film to engage global audiences with stories of science, culture and shared heritage. With Whispers of Wisdom, we are creating a new generation of cinematic stories centred on the remarkable scholars of Uzbekistan and the region.”
Ahmed Salim is an award-winning producer known for developing ambitious cultural and educational media projects that combine film, exhibitions and public engagement. His past work has included collaborations with internationally recognised actors and major heritage initiatives designed to bring overlooked histories to life for broad audiences.
Among his most notable productions was “1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham”, which he produced and co-directed and which starred Omar Sharif in what became the legendary actor’s final film appearance before his death. That production formed part of an international educational campaign linked to the United Nations’ International Year of Light and remains one of the landmark films associated with 1001 Inventions and UNESCO.
The involvement of 1001 Foundation in “Whispers of Wisdom” reflects its long-standing mission: to transform stories from the history of science and civilisation into powerful, accessible experiences for audiences around the world. Through award-winning films, exhibitions, books and educational campaigns, 1001 Inventions has spent many years helping audiences rediscover the contributions of scholars, thinkers and innovators whose impact still shapes our world today.
In Uzbekistan, this work extends beyond film. 1001 Foundation has also been involved in developing the new children’s interactive exhibition, “1001 Inventions from Uzbekistan to the World”, at the Centre for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent (Guinness record holder for the largest Islamic Museum in the World). Designed for young audiences and families, the exhibition uses immersive storytelling, interactive media and hands-on experiences to introduce children to scholars, discoveries and ideas associated with Uzbekistan and the wider region.
Together, the “Whispers of Wisdom” film series and the children’s exhibition represent an important new chapter in the Centre’s public engagement work — combining scholarship, creativity and world-class production to present Uzbekistan’s intellectual heritage in fresh and inspiring ways.
As production continues, Whispers of Wisdom stands as another example of how meaningful collaboration between filmmakers, cultural institutions and educational producers can bring the stories of the past to life for new generations.
About 1001 Inventions
1001 Inventions is an award-winning international science and cultural heritage foundation that creates educational experiences highlighting a thousand years of creativity from the golden age of Muslim civilisation and its influence on our modern world. Through exhibitions, films, live shows, digital content and learning programmes, 1001 Inventions has engaged hundreds of millions of people globally, sparking young people’s interest in STEM while promoting diversity and inclusion.
