Fan CastingThe Alchemist

An Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago dreams of a treasure while in a ruined church. He consults a Gypsy fortune-teller about the meaning of the recurring dream. She interprets it as a prophecy, telling the boy that he will discover a treasure at the Egyptian pyramids. He meets an old king Melchizedek, who tells him to sell his sheep so as to travel to Egypt. Early on his arrival in Africa, a man who claims to be able to take Santiago to the pyramids instead robs him of the money he had made from his flock. Santiago then has to work for a crystal merchant so he can earn enough to get to the pyramids. Along the way he meets an Englishman who has come in search of an alchemist and continues his travels with his new companion. When they reach an oasis, Santiago falls in love with an Fatima. She promises to marry him only after he completes his journey. Then meets a wise alchemist, who teaches him to realize his true self. Together, they risk journey through the territory of warring tribes. Santiago is forced to turn himself into a dust storm before he is allowed to proceed. When he reaches the pyramids and begins digging, he is robbed by thieves, who ask him what he is digging for; he replies that a dream has led him to buried treasure. The thieves scoff, and the leader remarks about a dream he once had about treasure under a tree at a ruined church. Santiago realizes the treasure he sought was where he had his original dream all along.