The Faith of the Flying Birds
Director Sabine Konig
Countries Netherlands
Duration 58 min
Synopsis
Since the founding of their religion, the tr Alevi have refused to follow the rules and laws of orthodox Islam. This resulted in centuries of suppression and persecution, which was the reason why the Alevi had to conceal their identity and practise their faith in secret. A third of the tr-Dutch population is Alevi. The Faith of the Flying Birds tells the story of the small yet active and diverse Alevi community in Deventer. The film follows a number of people in the run-up to the cem, their major annual religious celebration. Caught between tradition and progress, they each in their own way struggle with their Alevi roots and their future in a rapidly changing and polarising Dutch society.
Since the founding of their religion, the tr Alevi have refused to follow the rules and laws of orthodox Islam. This resulted in centuries of suppression and persecution, which was the reason why the Alevi had to conceal their identity and practise their faith in secret. A third of the tr-Dutch population is Alevi. The Faith of the Flying Birds tells the story of the small yet active and diverse Alevi community in Deventer. The film follows a number of people in the run-up to the cem, their major annual religious celebration. Caught between tradition and progress, they each in their own way struggle with their Alevi roots and their future in a rapidly changing and polarising Dutch society.