Does smell drive men to kill? In the case of agarwood, it can and often does. Oud is a prized scent from a currently endangered tree species. It is one of the most valuable commodities in the Arabian Peninsula, and a reduction in its supply will only increase public demand. Produced by the ever-obsessive Al Jazeera, this riveting new documentary explores the rich allure and potential dangers of this olfactory phenomenon.
Why is agarwood so attractive? As the film opens, some of the fragrance’s most ardent admirers try to describe an emotion that lives in comfortable memory. For many, the scents of Oud are the gateway to their most cherished nostalgic moments. Some cultures use the smoke of ebony incense to help with spiritual rituals. Others simply bask in its rich and long-lasting aroma.
Agarwood is produced by a fungal infection of the agarwood tree, which only grows in the Middle East, and its aroma profile varies depending on the location of the tree and the concentration of oils in the wood. Deforestation has become a worldwide concern as the demand for scent spreads throughout the western world and these trees are on the verge of extinction.
This looming threat will only fuel the demand for fragrances. A kilogram of average-quality agarwood can fetch as much as $5,000. Western companies often charge as much as $2,000 for a small amount of fragrance with an elusive scent.
Of course, high demand and the promise of huge profits fueled criminal involvement in the agarwood trade. The actions are dictated by police money, the brutality of ruthless timber poachers, and a host of mafia-driven interests.
The filmmakers interview a range of people involved in all aspects of this riveting story – from perfume designers and shop owners to conservation experts and law enforcement officials. The scent from Heaven is an exciting insight into an exciting unexpected and unusual world.
