Habibullah

Habibullah Zandi has been singing for decades, but as a local mullah tries to silence his song, he proves that music and poetry can also be sacred.

Kurdish folk singer Habibullah Zandi has been performing all his life. Whether at weddings or around the campfire, he shares his voice to bring others happiness. When a video of him goes viral on TikTok the young village mullah confronts him about the sins of singing. Tensions rise, but so does his defiance. For Habibullah, the Islamic faith and his singing are not at odds. This film mirrors its protagonist – it is quietly self-assured, joyful and with a deep love for the beauty of this world.

This film will screen as part of the programme Shorts: More Than Words.