Germany 2014, 3x52 min, HDA Bildersturm Production
by Hilka Sinning, Heinz Greuling
Faith Love Desire
Eros: divine gift or diabolical power? Throughout the ages all religions have striven to regiment people’s sex lives and to steer them into orderly channels, to avoid excesses and reign in base impulses by means of divine commandments.Practicing Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists from six countries tell us about their beliefs: a three-part series about religion, sexuality, and the search for intimacy.
How can the anarchic power of sexuality be tamed when one is young? What is permitted and what is not? And how do religious teachings shape love, marriage and desire today?
FAITH LOVE DESIRE explores the tensions between faith and sexuality across five world religions – Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism.
We meet young and adult believers in Tel Aviv, Cologne, Beirut, Berlin, Istanbul, New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangkok, who share stories of pleasure, struggle and spiritual conflict. A global journey through the beauty and the burden of love.
Episode 1: FIRST LOVE
Desire begins early – but so do the rules.
How do young believers deal with their first experiences of love, longing and lust? A conservative Muslim woman in Istanbul, a Protestant girl in Berlin, a young Jewish couple in Tel Aviv and a Hindu groom-to-be in New Delhi speak about curiosity, shame, and their attempts to reconcile sexuality with faith.
Episode 2: FULFILLED LOVE
Marriage is the one place where sexuality is «allowed». But is it also fulfilling?
An Orthodox Jewish couple in Nof Ayalon, a married Shi’ite Muslim man in Beirut, a Catholic couple in Ludwigshafen and a Buddhist monk in Bangkok reflect on love, duty, and the fine line between devotion and frustration.
Episode 3: FORBIDDEN LOVE
Eros – divine gift or dangerous temptation? Every religion has its taboos.
What happens when those are broken? A Christian gay couple in Cologne, a Muslim woman in Konya with a hidden relationship, a Buddhist womaniser in Bangkok and a young Hindu couple in Mumbai live their desires outside the lines – and face judgement, rejection or worse.