Shape of the Moon (2004)

Although the producers of this movie are from the Netherlands, the story takes place in Indonesia. Its original name is "Stand van de Maan" and it has an imdb rating of 7.4. This documentary film reflects the daily life of a Christian family living in Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population. This film gives viewers a very good idea of learning what it means to be a minority in a society where the majority religion is felt in every aspect of daily life. The film opens with anti-Bush slogans from a group marching against America in Jakarta. Then, the lens focuses on the prayers performed in the mosques and an old uncle who cannot control his tears while praying for Iraq.

In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, religious motifs often come into play to help us understand how dominant or important religion is in daily life. For example, a young man collecting money on behalf of a mosque, a group marching at midnight chanting hymns, people praying collectively at the train station, a mosque imam explaining that a marriage other than a religious one will not be an official marriage. In addition to these, the announcement of food distribution to those left homeless in the neighborhood fire was made from mosques, the wedding was held in the mosque and announced to the surrounding area via loudspeakers. It is noteworthy that it shows how intertwined social life is.

After this picture becomes clear in our minds, the film invites us to become guests to a Christian family's house. A cross and a painting of Jesus and Mary on the wall can be the only indicators that the family is not Muslim. Apart from those, we witness the intertwining cultures such as entering a house without shoes and children kissing the hands of adults. The film (or documentary) continues with the family's eldest son converting to Islam so that he can marry a Muslim girl. The viewers witness the wedding ceremony which takes place afterwards, and remarkable scenes from the daily lives of ordinary people. 

As we get closer to the end, there are a few things we remember about Indonesia: The place of religious elements in people's daily lives as well as the poverty of the people and the fact that despite all of these struggles, life continues. So much so that we even witness people traveling on the roof of the trains because they cannot find a seat in the overcrowded trains. If you want to learn more about this country, the way they live and what is feels like to be a minority in a very religious country, I simply recommend you watch this movie.