The Monk Who Liked Slayer
Most documentaries about Japanese monasteries involve a lot of slow-motion incense smoke and whispering. Crows Are White flips that script. Ahsen Nadeem, the filmmaker, travels to Mount Hiei to find some kind of divine intervention because he’s been lying to his devout Muslim parents about his life for years. He’s married to a non-Muslim woman, he’s not practicing the faith, and he’s terrified of the fallout.
He expects to find wisdom from the 'Marathon Monks'—ascetics who perform grueling physical feats of endurance. Instead, they won't even talk to him. The only person who will is Ryushin, a low-level monk who works in the kitchen, listens to heavy metal, and sneaks out for Baskin-Robbins.
Why It Works for Families
This isn't just a travelogue; it's a study in integrity. Ryushin is the most 'enlightened' person in the movie precisely because he doesn't pretend to be perfect. For a teenager who is currently navigating the gap between who they are and who their parents/teachers/coaches want them to be, this film is incredibly validating.
It’s also a great way to introduce the concept of Buddhism and the specific 'Kaihigyo' (the 1,000-day challenge) without it feeling like a history lecture. You get the beauty of the mountain, the intensity of the rituals, and the humor of a guy trying to film it all while his own life is a bit of a disaster.
"I wanted to find someone who had it all figured out, but I found someone who was just as messy as me."
If your kid liked The Good Place or enjoys stories where the 'rules' are questioned by someone with a good heart, put this on the list. It’s a 90-minute reminder that honesty is hard, but ice cream helps.
