Trailer for Sun Ra Arkestra Documentary Sounds of the Desert Debuts
The Hollywood Reporter exclusively premiered the trailer for Emilija Škarnulytė's documentary, which has its world premiere Nov. 18 at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
The Hollywood Reporter exclusively premiered on Tuesday the trailer for Sounds of the Desert, the documentary written, directed, produced and executive produced by Emilija Škarnulytė through her company Mirror Matter Productions.
The film follows Sun Ra Arkestra members Abshalom Ben Shlomo, who died in 2024, and Marshall Allen, who is still performing at age 102. It combines interviews, archival footage and live performance, moving through locations including the Arkestral House of Sun Ra in Philadelphia, Chicago, a forest in Lithuania and the Negev Desert.
Sounds of the Desert will have its world premiere on Nov. 18 in the Rebels With a Cause Competition at the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia. Norway's Mer Film is the development producer.
Sun Ra Arkestra's legacy
The Sun Ra Arkestra was founded by Sun Ra in Chicago in the mid-1950s, bringing together avant-garde music, cosmic philosophy, ritual and spectacle, and became a foundational influence on Afrofuturism.
Škarnulytė previously made the film Burial. Mer Film has been involved in recent festival films including Harry Lighton's Pillion (2026), Joachim Trier's Sentimental Value (2025) and Magnus von Horn's The Girl With the Needle (2025).
Quick answers
When does Sounds of the Desert premiere?
It has its world premiere on Nov. 18 at the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia, in the Rebels With a Cause Competition.
Who directed Sounds of the Desert?
Emilija Škarnulytė wrote, directed, produced and executive produced the film through her company Mirror Matter Productions.
Who is featured in the documentary?
The film follows Sun Ra Arkestra members Abshalom Ben Shlomo, who died in 2024, and Marshall Allen, who is still performing at age 102.