Little Sparta is a beautifully crafted documentary that celebrates the power of good in the face of overwhelming oppression and unspeakable evil. The film traces the history of conflict in the Arabian Peninsula and victories against seemingly insurmountable odds, including those that surround our modern war against the terror of radical extremism.
It first tells the events of 650 BC. When the Persians invaded the Greeks with an impressive army of over 100,000 soldiers. Fear of imminent destruction hangs over the area. Determined to surrender without a fight, Sparta assembled a small opposition army of 300 men. After forming various alliances with neighboring cities, their army quickly grew to over 7,000 warriors. Though outnumbered, they eventually drove Persia out of their territory by sheer force of will.
According to the film, this dogged determination to uphold justice has long defined the insatiable spirit of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This also earned them the nickname Little Spartans, a tribute to the moral and military might they possessed despite their small size. What was once a vast desert is now a thriving industrial leader, gleaming infrastructure, global reach and military might.
The film also details the UAE’s role in some other key events in the region’s history, including the invasion of Kuwait, the Battle of Mogadishu, the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and the current battle with those advocating misrepresentation of the Koran. Interpretation of the human struggle. Heinous acts of violence and terror. Along the way, viewers learn about the UAE’s close alliances with the United Nations and other allied organizations, its leading role in military affairs, its commitment to ensuring religious freedom, and its dedication to humanitarian and peacekeeping efforts.
Divided into nine brief but insightful chapters, Little Sparta presents an invaluable and surprising portrait of one of the world’s most turbulent and misunderstood regions. Most of all, it’s a stirring anthem that celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
Directed by: Mansoor Al Dhaheri
