The movie, which draws on the Lebanese writer's poetic
essays, tells the story of a headstrong girl, Almitra, who makes
friends with poet Mustafa - in jail for his work which has been
deemed dangerous.
Hayek, who also provides the voice for Almitra's mother, Kamila,
told Reuters the story was best told through animation.
"You can express more in a sensation through the art and the
music and the poetry," she said at the film's premiere in Los
Angeles on Wednesday night.
"The movie is about freedom, and animation gave us the freedom
to be more faithful to the theme of the film."
Academy Award nominees Liam Neeson and Quvenzhane Wallis provide
the voices of Mustafa and Almitra in the film.
Hayek, whose grandfather was Lebanese, traveled to Gibran's
birthplace, Bcharre village, in April to pay tribute.
"It is such an iconic book," she said. "It has sold more than
120 million copies around the world. It is so beloved, so it was
important to get it right."
"Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet" opens in New York and Los Angeles
on Aug. 7. A wider U.S. release is set for later in the month.
(Reporting by Reuters Television in Los Angeles; Writing by
Marie-Louise Gumuchian in London; Editing by Louise Ireland)
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