LIKE SALT
“Excellent”
“Extraordinary Moving Film”
“Filmed with mastery”
When living in diaspora turns into a boxing match, one learns to fight with bare knuckles.
LIKE SALT
Written & Directed by Darine Hotait
During the 2006 Israeli attack on Lebanon, Hala, a Lebanese American boxer in New York City finds herself living through the unbearable survivor's guilt that presents her with a challenge to reconcile with her estranged father. During a quarrel at a jazz club that turns physical, Hala forms a bond with Kendrick who takes her on a road trip to quiet her anger.
Starring: Jessica Damouni (Hala) & Ben Williams (Kendrick)
Cast: Timothy Hickernell (Ran), Zayn Alexander (Sari), Sarah Bitar (Faten), Amal Khalil (Mona), Fady Kerko (Ahmed), Jack Sochet (Town Sheriff), Kareem Hegazi (Bodega Owner) & Salah Anwar (Bodega Employee).
Special Appearance: Tarek Yamani (Pianist), Theo Croker (Trumpet Player) & Jonathan Barber (Drummer).
Director of Photography: Autumn Eakin
Production Designer: Josefina Laban
Costume Designer/stylist: Lowri Best
Original Score: Tarek Yamani
Sound Design: Charles De Montebello/ CDM Sound Studios
Editor: Darine Hotait
Color grading: Jaime O'Bradovich/ Company 3
Visual Effects: Hecat Studio
Produced by Cinephilia Productions
In Co-Production with Digital Bodega
Producer: Erika Rydell, Tarek Yamani & George Velez
Executive Producer: Daquan Saxton
Custom-designed jewelry by Kinship Stories
Custom-designed masks by Arté Masks
Designer wardrobe by Yali Romagoza
Shot on location in New York City at Cornelia Street Cafe, in Brooklyn at Rollin' Studios and in Pennsylvania at The Lynnville Hotel.
Technical Specs:
TRT: 25 minutes
Country of production: USA
Genre: Narrative drama
Tech specs: 23.98 fps | Stereo | Color | 16:9
Available screening format: DCP, Digital File (3200X1800; H.264 or Apple Pro Res)
Language: English & Arabic
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish & Arabic subtitles are available.
Premiere date: July 2018
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Official Poster designed by Unsupervised Kids
“Best Narrative Short”
UPCOMING FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS:
. 7th LatinArab Film Festival, Buenos Aires, March 2019
. New Filmmakers Los Angeles, March 2019
. Rotterdam Arab Film Festival, Netherlands, March 2019
. 4th Haifa Independent Film Festival, Palestine, March 2019
. Ghetto Film Roster at HBO New York, February 2019
. 13th Leiden International Film Festival, Netherlands, November 2018
. 29th Journée Cinématographique De Carthage, Tunisia, November 2018
. 21st Reel Sisters of the Diaspora, New York - USA, October 2018 (New York Premiere)
. 13th Tacoma Film Festival, Washington - USA, October 2018 (West Coast Premiere)
. 12th Boston Palestine Film Festival, Cambridge, USA, October 2018
. 13th Twin Cities Arab Film Festival, St.Paul Minnesota, September 2018
. 5th Olhares De Mediterraneo, Lisbon - Portugal, September 2018
. 13th Lebanese Film Festival, Beirut - Lebanon, September 2018
. 42nd Montreal World Film Festival - Canada | August 2018
. 10th Marfa Film Festival, Texas - USA | July 2018 (Opening Night Film)
. Festival Des Cinemas Arabes at Institut Du Monde Arabe, Paris - France | July 2018
. 15th Fear No Film at Utah Arts Festival, Salt Lake City - USA | June 2018
. 13th Cinetopia Film Festival, Detroit - USA | June 2018
Reviews and Interviews:
. MovieMaker Magazine | Video Interview, March 2019
. Femme Magazine | Feature Interview, October 2018
. Women Cinemakers | Feature Interview, August 2018
. On Orient | Interview, August 2018 (in French)
. We Are Moving Stories | Interview, July 2018