The Hajj, the largest pilgrimage in the world and the fifth pillar of Islam, is a religious duty for every able-bodied Muslim. Follow five Chinese Muslims as they undertake this journey of a lifetime. A major event organized by the Islamic Association of China, this film tells stories of the event's organizers, pilgrims and service personnel. Using montage editing techniques, the film presents this sacred journey by combining parallel sequences into...

The veil is an object that tends to instigate profound and diverse feelings. Its practice and meaning have been greatly abused throughout history. Within the context of the West the question one might ask: "In a free country, why are women choosing to veil?" In a very intimate and meditative mode, three Muslim women reflect around issues of cultural memory, identity, self-censorship, feminism, politics and media. By appreciating the personal and experiential...

"A few weeks before his college entrance exams, Réda, a young man who lives in the south of France, finds himself obligated to drive his father to Mecca. The wide cultural and generational gap between the two is worsened by their lack of communication. Réda finds it hard to accommodate his father, who demands respect for himself and his pilgrimage. From France, through Italy, Serbia, Turkey, Syria, Jordan to Saudi Arabia, the two embark on a road...

A German-born woman flees from her oppressive marriage in Istanbul, taking her son with her. She hopes to find a better life with her family in Berlin, but her unexpected arrival creates intense conflicts. Her family is trapped in their conventions. They are torn between their love for her and the traditional values of their community resulting in tragic consequences.