2022 CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!
Living two lives is difficult, but in Crows are White our narrator, Ahsen Nadeem, is faced with this difficult reality, one in which he struggles to come to terms with. When he travels to speak with a series of monks in order to cope with his ongoing problems–he will find that even they don’t always have the answers. He will continue to work on himself and try to rectify his issues, but his incredibly conservative family makes this difficult.
What was initially a journey toward simply accepting yourself for who you are turns into a vivid emotional story that will surely break your heart. It’s obvious that there are layers to Crows are White within the opening moments, but I’m not sure that it’s made abundantly clear just how deep the rabbit hole would run until much later in the documentary. In the early going there are messages of self-acceptance and things of that nature, but as it begins to develop, transition into something else, viewers get a darker, more upsetting look at Nadeem’s life. Viewers instantly understand that Nadeem’s life is troubled–but it’s some time before we truly see how troubled he is and the obstacles that he must face on a daily basis.
The transition is smooth from one thing to the next, and it never misses a beat. Even after viewers believed to be fully drawn into Nadeem’s narrative, they find themselves falling further into his depressing life–becoming fully aware of not only his plights, but the ones that surround us in our lives as well. Crows are White is a powerful film that refuses to relent, and as the narrative shifts, and viewers are pulled further and further into Nadeem’s harrowing orbit, the messages that he is attempting to convey to the world are realized with extreme clarity. It’s clear that Nadeem wants everyone to understand that individuality and personal expression are important parts of life, and he expresses this in such a vivid and emotional fashion.
Through the difficulties that are expressed throughout the course of the film, there is a juxtaposition that exists–and that comes in the form of the beautiful scenery. From beautiful architecture to mind-blowing landscapes, Crows are White uses this charming imagery to create a seamless balance between pain and comfort. Like the rest of the film, this aspect drives home a series of other metaphors and messages that resonate with viewers in a number of ways. Crows are White never fails to entertain in this regard, and Nadeem and his cohorts are to thank for this.
Crows are White is heartbreaking and gut wrenching, never relenting and providing a seemingly never-ending wave of passion and meaning. Nadeem lives a terribly tragic life, and his reality is one that most viewers are likely unfamiliar with, but he manipulates his own story into something perfectly accessible–but just as equally difficult to digest. Crows are White is an honest telling of Nadeem’s existence, and it’s incredible the amount of strength that it must have taken to develop this film seems unimaginable. Kudos to him for creating this project, shedding light on a number of mental health issues, and reminding the world that they aren’t alone.
Directed by Ahsen Nadeem.
Starring Ahsen Nadeem, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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