Credits
	Director and Producer	Nurdan Arca
	Production Date	2011
	Duration	59′

Canlar The Alevis/ Bektashis

The documentary film titled “Canlar, Alevis/Bektashis” aims to depict the Alevis-Bektashis as Prof. Irene Melikof expressed “to understand not to believe”.  Melikoff is the world-reknown expert on Alevism/Bektashism. The story unfolds in her office in Strasbourg and passes through Hacibektas, the birth city of Bektashism and through the annual ritual gathering (Cem) of Alevis in Nurhak, unveiling some unique concepts of Alevism, like “Can” ( inspired souls) and “Eren” (the initiated) via Alevi-Bektashi poetry. The documentary introduces the powerful meaning of Alevi-Bektashi poems and songs, through which the non written codes and philosophy of their belief system is transmitted.

The poems, songs (deyis-nefes ) and dances (semah) of Alevis-Bektashis constitute the essence of the Alevi-Bektashi way, which the documentary shows in forms of two main rituals: Conversations (Muhabbet) and Cem of Initiation and Purification (annual ritual gathering for initiation and reconciliation). Among the great examples of this rich poetry are Nesimi, Hatayi, Virani, Pir Sultan Abdal, Edip Harabi and Feyzullah Cinar with their poems reflecting the mysticism and the politic aspect of the Alevis-Bektashis who have suffered many massacres throughout the history.

FESTIVALS

30th İstanbul Film Festival 2011