SALEEG
Genre
Drama
Running time
10 minutes
Year
2022
Language
Arabic and Urdu
Subtitle
English
Country
Saudi Arabia
Director
Afnan Bawyan
Bio
Producer
Afnan Bawyan, Mariam Khayat
Cast
Scriptwriter
Afnan Bawyan
Sixty-year-old Hajer is preparing saleeg – Jeddah’s famous rice dish – for a special dinner with her son. Needing vegetables, she rushes outside when she hears the Indian grocer’s bell, but neglects to cover the pot. She wrangles with the vegetable seller; then her son calls to say he isn’t coming. Meanwhile in the kitchen, the rice has fallen into the boiling water where it has expanded, overflowed and is soon billowing through the house and out into the yard, carrying Hajer with it. At last, the neighbours see what is happening and rush to help, shovelling saleeg on to every available plate. After which, everyone being gathered, they join Hajer for a meal that turns out to be special after all.
Other movies
SABA
Director: Maksud Hossain
Saba, 25, lives in Dhaka with her demanding mother Shirin, a paraplegic whose frustrations and rage often find a target in the daughter who cares for her. When Shirin’s worsening condition requires surgery it falls to Saba to find the money to pay for it. Securing a job at a seedy Shisha bar, Saba befriends the manager Ankur and, for the first time, pictures what a life of her own could look like. Maksud Hossain’s debut feature is a close-up look at a complicated bond between mother and daughter that lurches between love and guilt, co-dependence and the longing for autonomy - but it is also a social drama, detailing the hardships that underlay the riots in Bangladesh earlier this year.
SEEKING HAVEN FOR MR. RAMBO
Director: Khaled Mansour
Hassan, his mother and his beloved dog Rambo are threatened with eviction by their landlord Karem, a car mechanic who wants to use their house to expand his workshop. Rising tensions culminate in a street fight between Karem and Hassan, settled by Rambo when he leaps in and bites Karem in the crotch. Humiliated, Karem promises bloody revenge. Thus begins Hassan’s search for a safe haven for his friend, a journey that will take him into the city’s underbelly, but also into the heart of his own fears, changing him forever. Sparked by a real incident, this is a film about the strong relationship between a man and his dog and a nuanced reflection on everyday violence.
MY DRIVER AND I
Director: Ahd Kamel
The story revolves around Salma, a smart and strong-willed young girl who knows exactly what she wants out of life. Today, she's in search of ice cream; tomorrow, she plans to explore the world. Her character is a testament to the power of ambition and determination. Salma struggles with her father’s absence, who is often far away, adding complexity to her relationship with her mother, which has not always been easy. This family dynamic shapes her personality and decisions. Salma finds a supportive figure in her Sudanese driver, Qamar, who enriches her life experiences and provides her with a sense of security.
MY DRIVER AND I
Director: Ahd Kamel
The story revolves around Salma, a smart and strong-willed young girl who knows exactly what she wants out of life. Today, she's in search of ice cream; tomorrow, she plans to explore the world. Her character is a testament to the power of ambition and determination. Salma struggles with her father’s absence, who is often far away, adding complexity to her relationship with her mother, which has not always been easy. This family dynamic shapes her personality and decisions. Salma finds a supportive figure in her Sudanese driver, Qamar, who enriches her life experiences and provides her with a sense of security.
