T W O G O D S

A Muslim casket maker and ritual body washer in Newark, NJ brings two young men under his wing to teach them how to live better lives. Over the course of the film, the three characters are brought together through their connection to this practice at a point in their lives when they are navigating who they have been, who they are currently, and who they will become in the future.

“With depth of feeling and warm black-and-white photography… Ali brings a matter-of-fact compassion to the experiences [of his subjects].”

- The New York Times [Critics Pick]

“Lyrical… Artful… Humane … A sternly compassionate documentary… Elegant, deep-toned black-and-white lensing… Its serene rhythm and worldview are distinctly its own."

- Variety

“Personal and profound… An indelible debut from director Zeshawn Ali… [He] has done such a masterful job.”

- San Francisco Chronicle

“A poetic meditation on life, death and the struggle to survive in between.”

- Filmmaker Magazine

“Astonishing and powerful... Exudes humanity through every frame.”

- POV Magazine

“Elucidates profound meaning from [main subject] Hanif’s important trade by taking interest in people of color while we’re still living, not just in our deaths.”

- RogerEbert.com

[A] compassionate portrayal of the living and the dead."

- WNYC Radio, Documentary of the Week

A masterpiece just waiting to be discovered.”

- Criterion Cast

WINNER

Jury Award, Best Feature Documentary Film- New Orleans Film Festival

Jury Award, Non-Fiction Storytelling- Florida Film Festival

Jury Award, Cinematography- Montclair Film Festival

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Hot Docs, Full Frame, Big Sky, DOCNYC, BlackStar, Nashville, Maryland, and Camden International Film Festival

Directed by: Zeshawn Ali