Welcome, dear readers, to another edition of Sunday Morning Movie. Today’s feature is a thought-provoking film that delves into a theological rift between two obscure Sufi Muslim sects, illustrating the profound strength of faith in Howling for God:
For next week, we’ll explore the classic Chariots of Fire:
Reviews of Howling for God:
While I couldn’t locate any formal reviews for this film, its essence captivated me too profoundly to overlook. Information about it is scarce online, so I’ve compiled some related links for additional context:
For hours, dozens of men in the gathering sway, chant, and sing in Albanian, Turkish, and Arabic. As the music intensifies, Sheikh Adrihusein Shehu takes a small iron skewer, known as a zarf, from the mihrab behind him, blesses it with his lips, and slowly inserts it into the cheek of his 12-year-old son, Sejjid Emir. Several children follow in succession.
This annual ritual honors the birth of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first male to embrace Islam. It coincides with the celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
Nowruz, or Nevruz in Turkish, meaning “new day” in Persian, is among the oldest festivals still celebrated across the globe. Originating in ancient Persia and cherished by over 300 million individuals, Nowruz embodies more than just a New Year celebration. It is a poetic embrace of life—a cultural, spiritual, and seasonal renewal that transcends boundaries and ideologies.
My perspective:
This film intricately narrates a story of religious discord within small, marginalized communities, where the inhabitants face dire circumstances. Poverty and unemployment are widespread, yet within these harsh realities exist small groups of devoted believers who demonstrate their commitment to God through bodily mortification. What may seem like an insignificant disagreement to outsiders holds tremendous significance in their world.
The movie unfolds in two acts. The first portrays the daily lives of the cult leaders, followed by a segment that showcases an actual piercing ritual.
At that moment, the film transforms dramatically. The visuals are striking—capturing a room filled with devoted bodies, dervishes embedding spikes into their flesh, joyful boys being repeatedly lanced and paraded like idols. They profess to feel no pain.
While some viewers may find it repulsive, I found it compelling. The ability to suppress or ignore one’s sense of pain is extraordinary. Where does that strength originate? I rate it ⭐⭐; the ritual scene alone is worthy of a second viewing.
Director: Dan Alexe
Writer: Dan Alexe.
Plot (Spoilers!):
The film centers around the rivalry between the leaders of two Sufi dervish sects, both asserting their right to officiate a special ceremony, creating an inevitable conflict where only one can prevail.
Set against a backdrop of poverty, the tensions escalate. The two leaders eventually agree to meet and negotiate a resolution.
The film culminates in a performance of the ceremony, where ritual spikes pierce willing flesh, making the power of belief profoundly tangible.
***
Bonus: Here’s a short film about Imam Reza, an Islamic holy site in Iran, and the pilgrims who journey there, titled Ya zamene ahu:
