: The film juxtaposes the austere, millennia-old traditions of the monastery with the modern, quirky habits of Ryushin and Nadeem’s own "fantastic" lying.
The phrase "Crows Are White" refers to a Buddhist teaching of absolute devotion to a master. As explained in the film: Crows Are White
: Critics have noted that while the film begins as an investigation into religion, it evolves into a deeply personal essay about the universal struggle of "wearing different masks" for different people. : The film juxtaposes the austere, millennia-old traditions
The documentary follows Nadeem, a Pakistani-American filmmaker raised in a devout Muslim household, who has spent years hiding his marriage to a non-Muslim woman from his parents. Seeking guidance and a way to reconcile his double life, he travels to a secluded Tendai Buddhist monastery on Mount Hiei in Japan. Crows are White | Screen Slate
: The documentary premiered at SXSW 2022 and has been praised by outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter for its irreverent humor and emotional honesty. Crows are White | Screen Slate