The Alchemiya Journal

A journal of Muslim film, culture, creativity, art and education

Kr1ng

Shows for Muslim Kids

Kr1ng: Award-winning animation on Dyslexia

Kr1ng is an award-winning and highly entertaining animated short film and cartoon series which explores the world through the eyes of a child with dyslexia. Teacher Suraya helps her dyslexic student Mael navigate academic hurdles as we look at events through his wildly imaginative mind.

May 25, 2022

Al-Ghazali - Alchemist of Happiness

Muslim History Films

Al-Ghazali – The Alchemist of Happiness

The docudrama Al-Ghazali – The Alchemist of Happiness brings the life and times of this pivotal figure from Islamic history to the screen, with a mixture of interviews, modern day explorations of the places he lived and dramatised re-enactments of events from his life.

May 23, 2022

Somalinimo

Films about Muslim Women

Somalinimo: Gifted, Somali… and at Cambridge

Writer Awa Farah and filmmaker Alice Aedy talk about the making of Somalinimo in an interview about their film, which explores the experience of being Black, Muslim, Somali women at Cambridge.

May 18, 2022

Zaraab

International Cinema

Zaraab – an unflinching look at lives below the poverty line

Set in Gwadar in Balochistan, Zaraab offers an unflinching look at lives blighted by poverty and lack of opportunity, exploring child labour, disability, unemployment and aspirations for a better life.

May 16, 2022

The Present

Palestinian Cinema

The Present – Life under Israeli Occupation

The award winning short film 'The Present', set in the West Bank about a father and daughter going shopping, shows the dystopian reality of everyday life for Palestinians under Israeli occupation.

May 13, 2022

Facing Mecca

International Cinema

Facing Mecca: Honouring beliefs in the face of red tape and indifference

A Swiss pensioner helps a Syrian refugee navigate unaccommodating bureaucracy to ensure that his wife is buried facing Mecca. Facing Mecca is a moving story of cross-cultural friendship, connection and respect.

May 11, 2022

Nanu and Me

Nanu and Me: A Grandfather’s Love

'Nanu and Me' centres on the story of Erum, left alone in the world at the age of twelve, and the sweet bond she develops with her loving grandfather who brings her up.

May 9, 2022

Bilal's Stand

American Muslim Cinema

Bilal’s Stand: A Muslim experience in the ghettos of Detroit

‘Bilal’s Stand’ is a film set in a poverty ridden ghetto in Detroit. It follows the story of Bilal and his family as they struggle to keep their taxi stand afloat, and he dreams of a better life.

May 6, 2022

The Roses

International Muslim Film

The Roses – A tale of wonder and flowers in Cairo

With a whimsical Alice in wonderland quality, the short film set in Cairo, The Roses, by Amina Abdel-maguid, is a reflection on the materialistic values of modern society and what is really important in life.

May 4, 2022

Somuncu Baba - The Secret of Love

Turkish Cinema

Somuncu Baba – The Master Baker and Wandering Dervish

Somuncu Baba - The Secret of Love is a beautiful cinematic depiction of the life of the 14th century Sufi master Hamid-i Veli, known as Somuncu Baba, the Master Baker, highlighting the spiritual value of sincerity, humility and service.

May 3, 2022

Suveydâ

Turkish Cinema

Suveydâ – When Calling the Adhan in Arabic was Outlawed

Telling the story of a young boy and his grandfather as they grapple with coercive regulations to modernise and Westernise, Suveydâ is a lyrical and moving film that shows the effect of enforced secularisation policies in Turkey at the beginning of the 20th century.

April 29, 2022

Like Water

Muslims in Sport

Like Water – A 73 Year-Old Hijabi Sensei Teaches Discipline

73 year old Sensei Togieda Flowers runs a karate dojo in Cape Town and is tasked with bringing some discipline into the life of energetic six year old Nawar. Like Water is a short documentary about martial arts as the key to confidence in marginalised communities.

April 27, 2022

Yunus Emre: The Voice of Love

Turkish Cinema

Yunus Emre – The Voice of Love

The Sufi poet Yunus Emre sets out as a wandering dervish on a journey to understand the meaning of divine love, meeting pivotal historical spiritual figures on his way.

April 25, 2022

The Last Seljuk Hero

Turkish Cinema

The Last Seljuk Hero: Facing the Mongol threat

An action-filled, moving historical feature film, The Last Seljuk Hero vividly portrays the fall of the Seljuk Empire to the Mongols and the resistance of Emir Karatay and the residents of Konya to their rule.

April 22, 2022

A First Farewell

Uyghur Muslims

A First Farewell: Life through the eyes of an Uyghur child

A First Farewell follows the stories of three Uyghur children living in rural Xinjiang, China, growing up in a world in which they are outliers geographically, culturally and linguistically.

April 20, 2022

Ramadan Viewing

Documentaries for Ramadan

What makes the perfect documentary to watch in Ramadan? Alchemiya has reviewed some of the best spiritually nourishing documentaries for you to watch while fasting or for post-iftar evening viewing.

April 18, 2022

Gaza Surf Club

Documentaries about Palestine

Gaza Surf Club: Catching Waves in a War Zone

In the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip local surfers combat their desperate situations by finding freedom through surfing.

April 15, 2022

Camino a la Paz (Road to La Path)

Argentinian Cinema

Camino A La Paz (Road to La Paz)

Camino a la Paz tells the unexpected story of a hot-headed, inconsiderate taxi driver who makes a 3000 mile road trip across Argentina and Bolivia for an elderly Muslim man to make his way to Mecca. On the way is his own spiritual journey finding meaning and faith.

April 13, 2022

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