Salt of This Sea (Movie)

Salt of This Sea is a 2008 feature-length drama film written and directed by Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir. Centered on the quest of a woman from the Palestinian diaspora for her past, roots, and identity, the film holds the distinction of being the first Palestinian feature directed by a woman.

Salt of This Sea - Trailer

Synopsis

Soraya, born in Brooklyn to a family of Palestinian refugees, returns to her ancestral homeland to trace the legacy of her grandfather, who was forced to flee to Lebanon during the 1948 Nakba. Her primary goal is to recover the funds her grandfather left in a frozen bank account in Jaffa. However, upon arriving in Ramallah, she encounters legal and political obstacles. Together with Emad, a local Palestinian she meets, Soraya embarks on a struggle not only to reclaim her inheritance but also to restore the honor and memory of her family. Through her personal journey, the film explores key themes of the Palestinian cause such as intergenerational identity loss, land rights, and belonging.

Aesthetic and Political Approach

More than a story of migration, the film offers a political narrative that interrogates memory, justice, and human rights in the context of an occupied people. With minimalist camerawork, authentic performances, and real locations that lend a semi-documentary style, Jacir poetically reveals the invisible wounds of Palestine. Suheir Hammad, a slam poet in real life, delivers a powerful lead performance that adds emotional depth to the film.

Main Cast

• Suheir Hammad (Soraya)
• Saleh Bakri (Emad)
• Riyad Ideis (Marwan)
• Sylvia Wetz (Corinne)

Awards and Festivals

The film garnered international attention as part of the "Un Certain Regard" selection at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. It received multiple awards from festivals including Dubai, San Sebastián, Chicago, New Orleans, Carthage, and Amal. Notably, it was Palestine’s official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 2008 Academy Awards. Other accolades include Best First Film, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, and various Audience Awards.