Omeleto | SWEET REFUGE | Omeleto @Omeleto | Uploaded June 2024 | Updated October 2024, 1 day ago.
A Syrian baker competes with an Indian dessert maker.
SWEET REFUGE is used with permission from Maryam Mir. Learn more at https://maryammir.com.
Hakim is a baker who has recently resettled in the U.S. In Syria, he spent a lifetime perfecting his recipe for delicious walnut baklava. Now, on Eid, he tries to sell his baklava and find a place for himself in his new life. First, he tries local shops, and when there's no interest, he then tries to sell door-to-door.
But when he discovers an Indian woman, Sakina, selling a healthy version of ladoos in the street, he decides to sell his baklava alongside her, and the two clash as they compete for customers. But when they discover they share a key ingredient -- and perhaps a similar story -- they form a hopeful connection.
Directed and written by Maryam Mir, this lovely short dramedy focuses on the competition between two neighborhood street food sellers who eventually find common ground in the shared experiences underneath their competitive surfaces. Told with a naturalistic visual warmth that captures the textures and sounds of everyday urban life, it's a sweet, humble story about food, friendship and finding a sense of belonging in a foreign place.
Hakim is new to the U.S. and just finding his bearings, and he embarks on his new project of selling his Syrian baklava on the street. Delicious and sweet, Hakim's baklava is delectable. But selling it is an entirely different prospect. The beginning of the narrative focuses on his efforts to find his footing, most of which fall flat.
But when he sees Sakina "the ladoo lady" selling on the street near a Crossfit gym, he takes to the idea and imitates her exactly, to comical effect. At first, the new rivals clash, memorably squabbling over potential customers. The delightful writing finds humor in contrasting Hakim's cluelessness with Sakina's savvy, and the competition is both real yet gently rendered. As the odd pairing, actors Laith Nakli and Mahira Kakkar give performances that feel authentic and lived-in, and they both nail the subtle comedic notes of the beautifully written dialogue while hinting at an inner resilience required to hustle and make a living in a new country.
This shared experience of being a foreigner transmutes Hakim and Sakina's rivalry into friendship, as they discover their foods share common ingredients. Like many culinary-inspired film narratives, SWEET REFUGE turns food into a palpable metaphor, something that both sellers learn to appreciate and respect in one another. One finds the kindness and compassion to help the other, providing a helping hand and a connection. In doing so, both also find a sense of home and belonging, leaving viewers with a warmhearted feeling that lingers like honey on the tips of their fingers after eating the sweets.
A Syrian baker competes with an Indian dessert maker.
SWEET REFUGE is used with permission from Maryam Mir. Learn more at https://maryammir.com.
Hakim is a baker who has recently resettled in the U.S. In Syria, he spent a lifetime perfecting his recipe for delicious walnut baklava. Now, on Eid, he tries to sell his baklava and find a place for himself in his new life. First, he tries local shops, and when there's no interest, he then tries to sell door-to-door.
But when he discovers an Indian woman, Sakina, selling a healthy version of ladoos in the street, he decides to sell his baklava alongside her, and the two clash as they compete for customers. But when they discover they share a key ingredient -- and perhaps a similar story -- they form a hopeful connection.
Directed and written by Maryam Mir, this lovely short dramedy focuses on the competition between two neighborhood street food sellers who eventually find common ground in the shared experiences underneath their competitive surfaces. Told with a naturalistic visual warmth that captures the textures and sounds of everyday urban life, it's a sweet, humble story about food, friendship and finding a sense of belonging in a foreign place.
Hakim is new to the U.S. and just finding his bearings, and he embarks on his new project of selling his Syrian baklava on the street. Delicious and sweet, Hakim's baklava is delectable. But selling it is an entirely different prospect. The beginning of the narrative focuses on his efforts to find his footing, most of which fall flat.
But when he sees Sakina "the ladoo lady" selling on the street near a Crossfit gym, he takes to the idea and imitates her exactly, to comical effect. At first, the new rivals clash, memorably squabbling over potential customers. The delightful writing finds humor in contrasting Hakim's cluelessness with Sakina's savvy, and the competition is both real yet gently rendered. As the odd pairing, actors Laith Nakli and Mahira Kakkar give performances that feel authentic and lived-in, and they both nail the subtle comedic notes of the beautifully written dialogue while hinting at an inner resilience required to hustle and make a living in a new country.
This shared experience of being a foreigner transmutes Hakim and Sakina's rivalry into friendship, as they discover their foods share common ingredients. Like many culinary-inspired film narratives, SWEET REFUGE turns food into a palpable metaphor, something that both sellers learn to appreciate and respect in one another. One finds the kindness and compassion to help the other, providing a helping hand and a connection. In doing so, both also find a sense of home and belonging, leaving viewers with a warmhearted feeling that lingers like honey on the tips of their fingers after eating the sweets.
