The extraordinary lives, profound musical philosophies, and expansive cosmic visions of two key members of the Sun Ra Arkestra—one of the longest-running and most influential avant-garde jazz ensembles in history—are captured in a sweeping new cinematic documentary.
Titled Sounds of the Desert, the new film is crafted by Lithuanian writer, director, producer, and artist Emilija Škarnulytė, whose previous work includes the critically acclaimed documentary Burial. The feature-length cinematic meditation focuses on Abshalom Ben Shlomo, a notable member of the Arkestra who passed away in 2024, and Marshall Allen, who remarkably continues to perform and lead the ensemble at 102 years of age.
Through an intricate tapestry of intimate interviews, rare archival footage, and immersive live performance sequences, the documentary captures the timeless spirit of the legendary collective. Driven by the hypnotic and transcendent sounds of the Sun Ra Arkestra’s music, the film physically and spiritually traverses a diverse array of geographic locations. These landscapes are deeply shaped by and inextricably tied to the ensemble’s unique sonic identity, ranging from the historic Arkestral House of Sun Ra in Philadelphia and the urban echoes of Chicago to a serene forest in Lithuania and the stark, expansive vistas of the Negev Desert.
The documentary is set to celebrate its world premiere on November 18 in the prestigious Rebels With a Cause Competition at the 30th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (POFF) in Estonia. Sounds of the Desert dives deeply into the history and ongoing cultural legacy of the Arkestra, which was originally founded by the visionary composer and bandleader Sun Ra in Chicago during the mid-1950s. The pioneering ensemble famously fused avant-garde jazz, cosmic philosophy, theatrical ritual, and dazzling visual spectacle, eventually becoming a foundational cornerstone of Afrofuturism. By imagining outer space not merely as a scientific frontier, but as a liberating realm of Black freedom and autonomy, the group forever altered the landscape of modern music and philosophy.
Behind the camera, Škarnulytė handled writing, directing, and producing duties, serving as an executive producer through her production banner, Mirror Matter Productions. The international development and production of the documentary were bolstered by Norway’s Mer Film, a prominent European production house that has previously lent its expertise to a string of major international festival hits, including Harry Lighton’s Pillion, Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, and Magnus von Horn’s The Girl With the Needle.
For Škarnulytė, the project is deeply personal, rooted in years of close personal connection and artistic exploration. A decade-long friendship with the late Abshalom Ben Shlomo served as the crucial gateway into the sprawling, multi-layered universe of the Arkestra.
Reflecting on the genesis of the film and her personal journey alongside the musicians, Škarnulytė explains that the creative process fundamentally shifted her perspective on identity, belonging, and existence. She shares that her time with the artists taught her that home is not always a physical place to which one can simply return, but is instead something we actively construct from the memories, experiences, and cultural weight we carry within ourselves.
The filmmaker sought to capture this philosophy directly on screen, designing Sounds of the Desert to drift seamlessly through the constellation of the Arkestra’s universe. The documentary tunes in to the subtle, resonant echoes connecting disparate individuals, sweeping natural landscapes, and sprawling historical narratives. As Škarnulytė notes, the cosmos constructed by Sun Ra and his musicians was never meant to be a means of turning away from the harsh realities of the terrestrial world. Instead, it was forged as a vital source of spiritual strength, providing the tools necessary to endure, confront, and ultimately transform the world around them.
The enduring relevance of the ensemble’s message serves as a guiding light for the documentary’s thematic core. In an era marked by profound global displacement, social division, and uncertainty, the music and philosophy of the Arkestra continue to resonate with an urgent, unifying power. For the director, their enduring artistic expression stands as a resilient reminder that humanity still possesses the capacity to build a shared shelter together, carrying that sense of sanctuary wherever they may travel.
Alongside the premiere announcement, an exclusive first look at the official trailer for Sounds of the Desert offers audiences a preliminary glimpse into the audiovisual odyssey crafted by Škarnulytė. The teaser provides a compelling visual and auditory introduction to the transcendent journey that awaits festivalgoers and music lovers alike in Estonia, setting the stage for a profound exploration of one of the 20th century’s most enduring artistic legacies.