This 2021 documentary follows filmmaker Ahsen Nadeem as he grapples with his Muslim faith and a secret marriage, leading him to a secluded Buddhist monastery in Japan where he seeks enlightenment and forms an unlikely friendship with an unconventional monk. What is this film titled, referencing a story about unquestioning belief?

The 2021 documentary you're referencing, "Crows Are White," takes its intriguing title from a profound anecdote about unquestioning belief. The wisdom, passed to filmmaker Ahsen Nadeem by a Buddhist monk, suggests that one should never doubt their master, even if they claim something as objectively false as "crows are white." This story perfectly encapsulates the film's central themes of faith, truth, and the challenges of reconciling personal conviction with the demands of tradition and authority.

Ahsen Nadeem, raised in a strict Muslim household, embarks on this cinematic journey grappling with a deeply personal conflict: his secret marriage to a non-Muslim woman, hidden from his devout parents for nearly a decade. The immense guilt and internal struggle stemming from this secret propel him to seek spiritual guidance and enlightenment at a secluded Buddhist monastery on Japan's Mount Hiei, home to a secretive sect known for its rigorous pursuit of enlightenment through extreme physical endurance.

Initially, Nadeem finds himself an unwelcome outsider, even being expelled after his phone rings during a sacred ritual. However, his path leads him to Ryushin, an unconventional and endearing monk who, despite his monastic vows, enjoys heavy metal music, ice cream, and drinking. This unlikely friendship becomes the heart of the documentary, as Ryushin's ability to navigate his own contradictions offers Nadeem an unexpected form of guidance, helping him explore the complexities of faith, doubt, and love in his own life.