Red Sea Film Festival 2023 | Saleem

Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah is hosting the prestigious Red Sea Film Festival for its third year. A large gathering of individuals from diverse sectors of the film industry gathers to honor the potency of narrative construction in the medium of motion pictures. Feature films, documentaries, and animation are here to unfold human capability on earth; his joy and sorrow, his victory and defeat, or even his life or death. Situated in a Middle Eastern village, Saleem, a 3D animated film, helmed by Cynthia Mandat Shariha, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Digitales Media, effectively portrays the inevitability of human limitations and captivates all viewers, children included.

Saleem, a nine-year-old child, relocates to a new community laden with recollections of his previous life following the death of his father and subsequent relocation with his mother and two siblings.  He observes a wooden container on the rooftop of their modest apartment. Within, he sees a treasure map. Saleem, accompanied by his friends Fares, Zeina, and Abboud, undertakes a profound treasure search journey that is replete with revelations, obstacles, redemption, and success. Saleem, whose family is comprised of refugees, harbors an immense mountain of resentment and anguish in his heart.

Through Saleem film, the Jordanian director Cynthia Mandat Shariha adeptly conveys the significance of narrative in his culture. Amal, the school counselor who comprehends Saleem’s mental health issue, employs the books and narrates their story to Saleem to shed light on his somber moments. The narrative of the creature that ruins the aesthetic appeal of the surrounding phenomena, as Amal relates it, demonstrates the significance of stories.

Advancements in the mental well-being of refugee children may result in a multitude of favorable consequences. It can benefit them most from assisting them in overcoming past traumas. By means of psychological support, counseling, and therapy, they can acquire the necessary resources and approaches to recover and reconstruct their lives. By attending to individuals’ mental health requirements, we empower them to analyze their experiences, mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and cultivate resilience. Using symbolic language and a compelling narrative, Seleem attempts to emphasize the significance of children’s traumatic experiences following the loss of a loved one, family, or peers, among other things.

Through the artistic milieu of animation, the creators project a vivid and thoughtfully crafted illustration of Saleem’s psychological journey. Unveiling layers of his vulnerable adolescent psyche, they rouse empathy and awareness about the everyday struggles of refugee children.

The narrative progresses through a dynamic interaction between 3D animation and soundtracks, skillfully coordinated to evoke profound sensation. The film oscillates between sentiments of hope and despondency, reflecting the existence that millions of children are compelled to accept.

The use of symbols in Seleem is readily apparent. The arduous and protracted process of recovery is subtly symbolized through the treasure map, golden key, the path through the unknown’s dark forest, and anchor symbol, which elicit memories of Saleem’s valiant father. And Saleem needs to dig inside to reach at his courage. The animation in Saleem is stunning, capturing both the beauty and desolation of the various landscapes encountered by Saleem throughout his journey. The visuals seamlessly integrate with the story, further enhancing the emotional impact and making it an immersive viewing experience – from the sea with the broken ship at the shore to the mysterious jungle to discover.

Children are the future of the world. Their quest and curiosity are even adults’ guides to see what the future might look like. Understanding their despair, taking i seriously, and attempting to heal them, is vital for educators and families, particularly those who have been hurt by war, poverty, lack, or any traumatic experiences.

Saleem, an animated film helmed by Cynthia Mandat Shariha and produced by Shadi Sharaiha, serves as a thoughtful portrayal of the arduous daily struggles faced by children. Saleem provides an insightful window into the challenges that all should behold. Digitales collaborated with a global group of more than one hundred artists, writers, and psychologists to bring Saleem’s narrative to life in order to expose the universally problematic nature of human existence in the face of catastrophes and to serve as a reminder of the immense capacity within him to live and love.

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