A Song For Love

In this exceptional coming-of-age portrait we follow nursing student Ibrahim, who lives and works in a religious community in the heart of Iraqi Kurdistan. The 21-year-old dervish surrenders to the compelling traditions of Sufism and music is his support and refuge. Amid rhythmic drums and ecstatic dancing, Ibrahim's poetic singing weaves through the documentary like a thread, but also exposes his feelings and deepest doubts. Does he dare to dream of marrying the love of his life and will he soon be able to take care of his aging parents? A Song for Love offers an intimate look at a young adult who struggles with expectations under great pressure, but tries to find his own voice with the help of song and faith.

A Song for Love was shown earlier this year at the Gothenburg Film Festival and the Tempo Documentary Film Festival in Stockholm. The screening at the Northern Film Festival is the Dutch premiere. This is the sixth documentary by director Hogir Hirori, who received the director's prize at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival for the moving Sabaya (2021).