DOC NYC: Films About Religion

This year, DOC NYC’s lineup features a number of films that deal with religion.

BUILDING BABEL WORLD PREMIERE Building Babel tells the story of Sharif El-Gamal, developer of the ‘Ground Zero mosque’ in Lower Manhattan. With unfettered access to Sharif’s life and family over the course of two years, the film tracks his struggle to bring his idea of Park51, a controversial Muslim community center two blocks from the site of Ground Zero, to fruition. Building Babel is a portrait of American identity ten years on from September 11th—and of how Muslims struggle to take part in the idea of who we are as a nation. Where do the lines of community get drawn, and who gets to draw them?

Expected to Attend: David Osit, Donya Ravasani

OMA & BELLA Oma & Bella is an intimate glimpse into the world of Regina and Bella, two octogenarian friends who live together in Berlin. Their memories of the Holocaust are never distant as they lovingly prepare the same sumptuous meals they ate as children and converse about questions of heritage, memory and identity. As the film follows them through their daily lives, a portrait emerges of two women with a close bond, a light sense of humor, vivid stories, and a deep fondness for Eastern European cooking.

MEA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD Mea Maxima Culpa investigates the Roman Catholic Church’s cover-up of countless incidents of sexual abuse of children. Despite sporadic headlines, we still have enormous gaps in our knowledge about the concealment that took place over decades. Although the church has paid out over $2 billion to settle claims, U.S. courts have convicted only one senior church official for his role in covering up these crimes. Increasingly, other countries are discovering their own dark secrets. Who should be held accountable? Courtesy of HBO Documentary Films. 

Expected to Attend: Alex Gibney