We often take our standard of living and comfortable lifestyles for granted. Not to mention modern technology, infrastructure and all the trappings of living in a Western liberal democracy. Precisely for this very reason, I find watching films about other cultures and countries incredibly fascinating. What is everyday to someone in say rural India, can appear archaic yet mesmerising and idyllic to others.
My Name is Salt follows Sanabhai as he ventures into the Little Rann of Kutch, a 5000 sq Kilometres of saline desert. Every year 40,000 families migrate from their villages to the vast salt plains for up to eight months a year. Following a tradition that has lasted for generations, Sanabhai has taken a loan from a salt merchant and, along with his family, is trying to extract the salt from the earth. This involves digging a well, and long arduous days of pumping, treading, flattening, waiting and hoping.
My Name is Salt is a captivating piece of documentary film making. Farida Pacha has made a completely absorbing and enthralling portrait of people trying to eke out an existence through nature. My Name is Salt is not a life-changing film, but has a quiet power which is inexplicably mesmerising.
https://vimeo.com/118694651
My Name Is Salt is out in cinemas on Friday.
