When God Sleeps

Shahin Najafi is an Iranian musician. In his songs he speaks out against abuses of human rights. A song he released in 2012 provoked a furious response. Clerics made harsh statements against him. A fatwa was then issued against him. Najafi had to leave his country. He settled in Cologne in Germany. The documentary follows his life in exile. He goes on making music and going out on tour. At every step, though, he is under threat. Security is a constant question when he performs. His private life is part of the film as well. The long distance relationship between him and Leili is described. The documentary tells the question of free expression through one person’s life. Shahin Najafi tells his own story in the eighty eight minute documentary. It is a German and American co-production Till Schauder finished in 2017.