Watch The Unbelievers

The Unbelievers, a documentary film from 2013, features the prominent voices of Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Richard Dawkins as they travel the world to promote scientific and rational thinking. The film, directed by Gus Holwerda, opens with a series of clips showcasing the media coverage of their speaking engagements and their impact on popular culture. Viewers are given a glimpse into the personal and professional lives of these public intellectuals as they discuss their motivations for promoting science and reason.

The documentary follows Ali and Dawkins as they speak to various audiences around the world, including a packed auditorium in Australia and the Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne. The pair speak out against religious extremism, promoting the view that science and reason should be the primary guiding forces in human decision-making. The film features interviews with a number of other prominent thinkers as well, including Woody Allen, Stephen Hawking, Sam Harris, and Lawrence Krauss.

As they travel, the film highlights the heated debate between science and religion across various parts of the world. Ali and Dawkins are shown speaking to audiences in Indonesia, where strict blasphemy laws and religious violence have threatened efforts to promote rationality. They also visit the UK, where Dawkins confronts creationists and fundamentalists in a debate held at the Oxford Union.

The Unbelievers includes a wealth of supporting material to illustrate the documentary's themes, including footage of various cultural and religious ceremonies, archival clips, and interviews with religious leaders and their followers. The film also delves into the personal lives of Dawkins and Ali, featuring interviews with family members and friends who offer a more intimate look at their worldviews.

Throughout the film, the two scientists argue that religion should not be used as a basis for decision-making, claiming that the scientific method is the only way to truly understand the world. Woody Allen adds his own perspective, suggesting that humor can play a powerful role in shaping people's beliefs about religion.

Despite the gravity of its subject matter, The Unbelievers is a fast-paced and entertaining documentary that never feels preachy or didactic. The compelling personalities of its two leads and the fascinating insights they offer into global religious tensions make it an enjoyable and thought-provoking film for anyone interested in the relationship between science and religion.

Overall, The Unbelievers is a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of science, reason, and religion. The film is an engaging and insightful exploration of some of the most complex issues facing the modern world, and features an all-star cast of thinkers who are sure to start some lively debates.

The Unbelievers is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 32.