As part of the short films program, the coming-of-age short film Sea Salt has officially made its debut in the Mediterranean Sea Cinema theater at El-Gouna Film Festival.
Sea Salt, directed by Laila Basma, follows a 17-year-old Lebanese girl named Nayla. Nayla is working as a waitress at a beachside resort when she must make a life-changing decision. She could leave her hometown and study in Canada like her brother wants. On the other hand, she can stay in Beirut. But to her brother, it is not a suitable place and will make her misbehave. We soon observe that her so-called summer sweetheart also attempts to influence her decision.
The statements that blurts out of her brother’s mouth about women are enough to demonstrate how he regards women. He exerts control over his sister’s activities by disparaging other women, stating: “My friends and I make fun of women who dress like this”, referring to her shorts.
The Themes Reflected In The Film:
The film portrays the harsh and grim reality of growing up in a conservative society. Women are expected to rely on their patriarchs for unwarranted interference when making decisions as if they are not capable of making solid judgments on their own. From making comments about her appearance to dictating what she ought to accomplish with her life, Nayla’s brother prevents her from achieving her goals in life. Also, her lover is pressuring her to study in Beirut and is attempting to dictate her options. The only place Nayla felt carefree and unrestrained was by the sea. The eye-catching views and cinematography provided the summertime vibes, which nicely complemented the film’s plot.
Starring Nathalie Issa, Farid Shawki, Georges Matar, and Hiba Chihane, Sea Salt is the graduation film of director and writer Basma from The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU).
Sea Salt is simply a precious movie that tells the story of a Lebanese woman who does not have the freedom to dare to dream and has left us wondering about the realities faced by teenage girls.
