The Documentary “Canlar – The Alevis/Bektashis” is completed.
The documentary “Canlar-The Alevis/Bektashis” is finished after three years of hard work, focusing on their perception of human beings as “Can” (inspired souls). Since 2007 we traveled 15.000 km, attended to several Cems (ritual congregations), interviewed more then 20 people, including experts, historians, sociologists, musicians and the Dedes of Alevi/ Bektashis for this comprehensive documentary.
We were fortunate enough to interview Prof. Irene Melikoff for a week in her home in Strasbourg, only a few months before she passed away at 2008. She was the expert academician on Alevism/Bektashism, made them known to the world. She devoted 40 years, living with Alevi/Bektashis, meanwhile studying and publishing the most comprehensive analysis on Alevism/Bektashism. This documentary is dedicated to Melikoff, striving to “understand” rather then “believe”. The interviews and visuals of the present leader of Bektashis Veliyeddin Ulusoy and the Cem of Alevi/Bektashi Dede (and Minstrel) Dertli Divani depicts the present reality as well as the historical background in the documentary. “Canlar-Alevis/Bektashis” aims to open a new vision.
To watch the trailer please click on the link: