Filmmaker Statement

Growing up in suburban Georgia, evangelism was alive and well. Though my parents weren’t churchgoers, my dad sat me down when I was young and explained that he was Muslim and my mom was Christian. I asked what that made me, and he said “when you get older, you’ll decide what you believe.” Decades have passed, I’m older, but that question remains tough. Nowadays, I consider myself agnostic - I can’t attest one way or the other - but I’ve found religion to be a fascinating window into human psychology. The past few years have been a stark reminder that life is terrifying, but the thing I’ve realized most about religion is that it provides a sense of security to people that nothing else could ever compare to. “It’s all part of God’s plan.” Six magic words that mean someone’s faith that is so strong, so unshakable, that they are left with nothing to fear and I'm left envious of it. For some, religion does an incredible service — it brings them peace, happiness, and answers. By contrast,