Mashallah. Why Did You Cross The Indian Ocean?

At a glance

Mashallah. Why Did You Cross The Indian Ocean?, is a 2024 Saudi movie, directed by Anhar Salem. with a runtime of 36 minutes.

Overview

Mashallah. Why Did You Cross The Indian Ocean? is a warm and observational documentary featuring two pairs of Indo-Hadhrami mothers and daughters living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The women gather regularly in Salem's mother's living room — an informal marketplace where members of this tight-knit community buy and sell ethnic crafts, traditional foods, and goods from home. Filmed with intimacy and a light touch, the documentary captures their conversations over shared meals as they reflect on the experience of migrating to Jeddah: navigating an unfamiliar culture, supporting their families economically and emotionally, and preserving the matrilineal values and traditions that define their identity across generations. A quietly moving portrait of diaspora, resilience, and the bonds between women.

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