Watch Salt of this Sea

Salt of this Sea is a 2008 drama film directed by Annemarie Jacir and starring Suheir Hammad, Saleh Bakri, and Riyad Ideis. The film tells the story of Soraya, a young Palestinian woman born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. After her grandfather dies, Soraya decides to travel to Palestine for the first time in her life to explore her family's roots and reclaim her family's home which was lost during the 1948 Nakba.

Soraya arrives in Palestine to find a country very different from the one she had imagined. She discovers that her family's home in Jaffa is now occupied by an Israeli man and his family. Determined to reclaim her family's property, Soraya embarks on a journey to explore her family's past and trace the history of the Palestinian struggle for independence.

Along the way, Soraya meets Emad, a young Palestinian man who introduces her to the reality of life in Palestine. Together, they embark on a journey across the country, visiting refugee camps and meeting Palestinians from all walks of life. Through these encounters, Soraya discovers the immense cultural and historical richness of Palestine, as well as the incredible resilience of its people in the face of adversity.

As Soraya delves deeper into her family's past, she becomes fiercely committed to the cause of Palestinian independence. Together with Emad and a group of young activists, she sets out to reclaim her family's home and assert her right to return to the land of her ancestors.

Salt of this Sea is a powerful and poignant film that explores themes of identity, belonging, and resistance. Through Soraya's journey, the film sheds light on the Palestinian struggle for self-determination and the ongoing challenges faced by those who seek to reclaim their land and their heritage.

The performances in the film are exceptional, with Suheir Hammad delivering a nuanced and deeply moving portrayal of a young woman struggling to find her place in the world. Saleh Bakri and Riyad Ideis also deliver strong performances as Emad and Soraya's uncle, respectively, adding depth and complexity to the film's characters.

The film's cinematography is also noteworthy, capturing the stunning beauty of Palestine with breathtaking vistas and sweeping landscapes. The film's soundtrack, composed by Khaled Jubran, adds an extra layer of emotional resonance, with its haunting melodies and evocative rhythms.

Overall, Salt of this Sea is a must-see film for anyone interested in the Palestinian struggle for independence and the ongoing quest for justice in the Middle East. It is a powerful testament to the resilience and perseverance of the Palestinian people, and a moving meditation on the meaning of home, identity, and belonging.

Salt of this Sea is a 2008 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 43.