Love Is a Verb is a documentary film directed by Terry Spencer Hesser that explores the social movement of the Hizmet, or Gülen Movement, a Sufi-inspired Sunni Muslim community founded by Fethullah Gülen in Turkey in the 1960s. The film captures the daily lives and practices of the followers of the movement as they engage in acts of civic engagement and service.
The documentary presents personal narratives from people within the movement, including Gülen himself, discussing their beliefs and how they put them into practice. Interviews from scholars, philanthropists, and volunteers help to contextualize the movement's activities and its impact on communities.
The film's central idea is that love is something that should be expressed through action, and the Gülen Movement's members are seen as exemplifying this concept through their emphasis on community service and their dedication to improving the lives of others, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.
The film also delves into the controversy surrounding the Gülen Movement, as it has been accused of being a cult and even a terrorist organization by the Turkish government, which has led to persecution of its members and crackdowns on its organizations.
Love Is a Verb is ultimately a portrait of a social movement driven by ethical values and civic engagement, and it offers an insightful glimpse into a community that has had a powerful influence on Turkish society and beyond.