When religion builds walls between people

Religious radicalism is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest problems. Afghan director Aboozar Amini is well aware of this, and he addresses it in the Dutch-Belgian co-production Kabul, Between Prayers. Among other things, it asks what it is like to find oneself in the shoes of a Taliban member. The main character, Samim, must not only patrol the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan, but also deal with conflicts with his wife, help out on his father’s farm, and guide his younger brothers in matters of faith. This routine contrasts with the life of his fourteen-year-old brother Rafi, who is still absorbed in boyish games and blushes when asked whether he likes any girl. At the same time, however, we can observe the early signs of creeping radicalization. The quietly observing director refrains from passing judgment, even in situations whose chilling nature is evident.

The consequences of such a life and such a world are depicted in IRKALLA: Dreams of Gilgamesh by Iraqi director Mohamed Al Daradji. In the film, Chamcham’s parents have been killed by the Islamic State, and the nine-year-old boy has no choice but to escape into his imagination. With the help of the mythical king Gilgamesh, he longs vainly to reach the realm of the dead and reunite with his mother and father. His slightly older friend Moudy is more pragmatic and sees hope for a better life in traveling to the Netherlands. Yet even this is a rather naive dream given his circumstances. In order to obtain money for the journey, he becomes entangled with a militia that violently suppresses local demonstrations. This emotional drama set in war-torn Iraq where even the youngest must choose between fleeing or participating in injustice is illuminated by elements of magical realism rooted in a child’s imagination.

Religious conflicts, however, can also manifest in ways that are less explicit. In Flood, American director Katy Scoggin returns to her childhood home and confronts memories of clashes with her orthodox father and his uncompromising belief in biblical claims. The conflict between science and faith intensifies again as she revisits and examines archival materials, despite efforts to preserve the relationship between parent and child. This empathetic exploration of personal history seeks to build bridges between opposing sides in an increasingly polarized world.