Seyran Ateş: Sex, Revolution and Islam

Nefise Özkal Lorentzen's poignant film delves into the real-life consequences of religious extremism while exploring the work of fearless activist Seyran Ateş.

Seyran Ateş is many things; she is a German-Turkish lawyer, a bisexual feminist, human rights activist, imam (Muslim leader) and author but most importantly, she’s bloody fearless. Seyran receives constant death threats, has a fatwa against her and has been under constant police protection since 2006 for her outspoken criticism of traditional Islam. Since her realisation as a young girl that her treatment for being female was akin to slavery, Seyran has been fighting for a world free from violent extremism, patriarchal oppression and gender discrimination. From founding a progressive mosque to discussing sexuality and Islam with queer Chinese minorities, Sex, Revolution and Islam documents Seyran’s extraordinary life.

Written and directed by Turkish-Norwegian filmmaker Nefise Özkal Lorentzen, also known for ManIslam (2014) and Gender Me: Homosexuality and Islam (2008), Sex, Revolution and Islam is a remarkably tangible and poignant film which delves into the real-life consequences of religious extremism while exploring what it means to stand up for what you believe in, no matter what.