Private Project

MUSALEM: from (selm); who lives in peace

Logline:
Amat Al-Lateef, 27, and Mohammed, 31, are from the north and south of Yemen. Each in their way tries to keep the Yemeni honey available to Yemenis locally and abroad, despite the obstacles and destructions infused by the seven years of the ongoing war.

Short Synopsis:
COVID-19 brought another layer of hardship to Yemenis. With the lack of health facilities and medical support, Yemenis seek refuge in natural remedies, especially honey. However, the war caused limitations, deprived many of accessing it. Amat Al-Lateef, a graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture from the University of Sana'a and a social activist, decided to take things into her own hands and work on beekeeping to increase honey production. As she struggles to provide for herself and her family, her end goal is to have affordable, high-quality honey for all Yemenis. On the other side, Mohammed is an accountant at a healthcare facility and a beekeeper at his family farm in Hadhramaut, Yemen. Amidst the war, he decided to pick up the family business, and now he has over 70 beehives from which he provides for himself and his family. Through their stories, both Amat and Mohammed give an insight into their lives in Yemen. And together, each in their way, battle the effects of war daily through their passion for bees and honey.

  • Mariam Al-Dhubhani
    Director
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    مُسالِم
  • Project Type:
    Virtual Reality, 360 Video
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 21 seconds
  • Country of Origin:
    Yemen
  • Language:
    Arabic, English
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Mariam Al-Dhubhani

Mariam Al-Dhubhani is an award-winning Yemeni-Russian journalist, filmmaker, curator, and educator based in the MENA region. A 3x TEDx speaker and pioneer in using virtual reality to tell stories from Yemen, she creates work that amplifies marginalized voices and challenges mainstream narratives. Her films have received multiple accolades, including the Most Promising Filmmaker award at the Toronto Arab Film Festival (2019) for In The Middle. She was honored as a Rising Star at the inaugural QF Alumni Awards by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and named a CineGouna Rising Star at the El Gouna Film Festival, establishing her as a leading voice in Arab and African cinema.
Al-Dhubhani holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Strategic Communication from Northwestern University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Gallery Practice from University College London. She has mentored young storytellers in conflict zones, served on juries for international film grants and festivals, and collaborated with UN agencies to train journalists in immersive storytelling. Her work blends human stories with innovative cinematic approaches to explore resilience, identity, and the unseen lives of her communities. She is currently completing her feature debut, showcased at prestigious festivals including Cannes, IDFA, and Venice.

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Director Statement

Musalem (مُسالِم), from selm meaning “who lives in peace,” is a 360° VR documentary created with three UN agencies to give audiences an immersive perspective on life in Yemen. Using VR, viewers can step into the daily experiences of Amat and Mohammed, witnessing their resilience, care, and determination to sustain their livelihoods despite the ongoing war.

Every visual and sound choice was made to enhance immersion, from the rhythm of the bees to the textures of the hives, creating a sensory space that fosters empathy and connection. The film invites policymakers and audiences alike to experience Yemen beyond statistics, highlighting the human stories at the heart of survival and hope.

Musalem is both a cinematic experience and a reflective tool, offering a safe, intimate encounter with Yemen and its people.

Lead Creators:

Mariam Al-Dhubhani – Director (Old Sana’a City: Samsarat Al-Nuhas)
Adrian Meyer – Digital Artist (Strands of Mind)
JC Oliveira – Editor (Sintonia Espacial)
Rodrigo Boecker – Sound Design & Mix (Cine Metro)