When living in diaspora turns into a boxing match, one learns to fight with bare knuckles.

Interview with Writer/Director Darine Hotait

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! I never really know why I am making a film until I make the film. This could be a bold statement but because my work is personal it tends to reveal itself to me as I get to know more my own needs to tell a particular story.

Even though the story takes place in 2006 during the war between Lebanon and Israel, by paralleling the story of an Arab immigrant and an African American, the film highlights the most pressing issues of our society today. How an African American citizen can fall into the trap of alienation. How a nation has been living a lie only now realizing that the core of what makes the American identity is at risk.

I want to tell this story to reflect how making a home is not bound by geography. I'm here telling a story about humans being shaped by alienation, multi-geographical and racial identities.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

There is not one reason why someone should watch this film. However, the film might come as a surprise to some, as a representation to others, as a reflection to many. think each person who watches this film can find an element or a situation or a character that they can connect with. I believe that the characters presented are accessible and this can make the audience connect with them quickly.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

What makes it universal and personal at the same time is the fact that the characters are both governed by the moment and are improvising their way. Their silences and hesitations remind us of how a boxer stops and retreats back to assess the situation before taking action again. How when, on the ropes, a boxer can find his way around a more aggressive opponent. He learns to fight even with bare knuckles.

ala and Kendrick are just like salt – an unbeatable seasoning that reduces bitterness and brings out the taste in each other. They are a basic flavor that make up all other flavors and can't be broken down into other components. Which means being part of a society makes them as important of an anchor as anyone else. They cannot be substituted or else the flavor is not there anymore.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The plot never changed from the beginning to the end of the process. What evolved was the introduction of supporting elements that can enhance the plot and the characters. I was aware that i was depicting a large space, yet the characters still felt like they were living in a box, in a profound dislocation. So I worked even more on that element to make it more present in the script. Also the work with my team was intensive as we had little time and resources. It was a very challenging film to make with what was available for us.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I've received various feedback. Here are some of the reactions:

"I need to watch it again", "I want to know what happens next", or "It felt like a potential feature film", "rare to see boxing and jazz meet in such context"

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

So far I haven't experienced any but I think this is cause the film was just released and I haven't had the chance yet. So far the feedback was full of curiosity, contemplative observations and very engaging questions.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We are Moving Stories is a wonderful and unique platform for any filmmaker to receive more visibility and to reach new audiences. The reviewing approach is authentic and that makes me want my film to be part of this conversation.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

The film is very new and only now starting its festival run. At this stage, I'm looking for sales agents and buyers mostly as well as journalists who would be interested to review the film. As our country is going through drastic changes in its policies with immigrants and also uncontrollable police brutality against black citizens, I think it is important to put forward a film like Like Salt that highlights this aspect of our country in the core of its story.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I wish for the film to be seen by as many people as possible, especially the audience in the US, and I hope the story resonates with those living in diaspora around the world as I sincerely think the film is above all made for them, for the people who lost their home, or have a home that they cannot call home like many Arabs or live at home but are denied the right to feel safe at home like many black Americans.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What is the intersecting point in this story between the Native American allegories, the Arab American diaspora and the African American representation?

Would you like to add anything else?

Thank you so much for this and for putting a spotlight on my work yet again. :)

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am currently working on my debut feature also titled Like Salt. It tackles similar themes as the short but within the context of a different story. However, both my lead actors Jessica Damouni and Ben Williams are cast for the lead roles. I am also hoping to work with the same DP Autumn Eakin who is a wonderful cinematographer and a wonder woman on set. Also joining the team for the feature version is my costume designer Lowri Best. And of course, award winning music composer and jazz pianist Tarek Yamani will be joining to score the original music.

Interview: July 2018

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Like Salt

When living in diaspora turns into a boxing match, one learns to fight with bare knuckles.

Length:25 minutes

Director:

Darine Hotait

Producer:

Erika Rydell, Tarek Yamani, George Vele

Writer:

Darine Hotait

About the writer, director and producer:

Darine Hotait is a Lebanese American writer and film director based in NYC. Her films have screened at numerous international film festivals and received multiple best fiction awards.

Key cast:

Jessica Damouni, Ben Williams, Timothy Hickernell, Sarah Bita

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

sales agents, buyers, journalist

Social media handles:

www.facebook.com/hotaitdarine

Instagram:

www.instagram.com/darinehotait

Other:

Hashtags:

#likesaltthefilm #darinehotait #benwilliams #jessicadamoun #cinephiliaproductions

Where was this filmed?

New York City - Brooklyn - Pennsylvania

Funders:

Cinephilia Production

Made in association with:

Digital Bodega