Watch My Name is Salt

My Name is Salt is a documentary film that takes the viewer on a journey to the salt pans of Gujarat, India, where a family of salt farmers spends eight months every year tirelessly toiling to harvest salt. The film provides a deeply immersive experience that captures the sheer scale and staggering beauty of the salt pans as they transform through the seasons.

The movie does not follow a particular narrative or storyline but is more of an observational and experiential documentary that immerses the viewer in the daily life and work of the salt farmers. For those who've never considered the origins of their table salt, this film provides a unique and unprecedented insight.

In the salt pans of Gujarat, life is monotonous, back-breaking, and unforgiving. With their bare hands and rudimentary tools, the salt farmers work day and night for over eight months, gathering as much salt as they can before the rains arrive. Their harvest season spans the dry and arid months of October to May, where they suffer the intense heat and harsh winds of the desert.

The film showcases the hard work that goes into salt farming, documenting the methodical process that involves cutting the earth to make saltwater canals, and flooding them with seawater. Once the seawater dries up, the salt crystals are left behind, which the farmers gather by hand and then process.

As the family of salt farmers continues through the harvest season, the film captures the struggles, the challenges, and the unique magic of their way of life. The film does an excellent job of capturing the tension between the brutal and relentless demands of salt farming, the transcendence of quiet moments spent together under the stars, and the beauty of the salt pans as they transform in response to the seasons.

My Name is Salt goes beyond the tableau of salt farming and the people who depend on it. It also explores the relationship between man and nature and the impact of climate change on the salt pans' ecosystem. As a result, the film holds interest for those who are passionate about environmental issues, in addition to those who enjoy the way of life perspectives and travel documentaries.

Director Farida Pacha does an excellent job of capturing the salt pans in all their glory; the expansive salt pans, the endless skies, and breathtaking sunsets. The cinematography, while simple and straightforward, amplifies the beauty of the salt pans and immerses the viewer in the vast expanse of this remarkable geographical feature.

The film's sound design is equally impressive, capturing the ambient sounds of salt farming and the silence that sometimes descends on the salt pans. The stunning visuals and detailed sound design combine to create an immersive experience that provides the viewer with an intimate and unforgettable glimpse into the salt farming way of life.

The people who work in the salt pans are charming, endearing, and sympathetic in their dedication to their craft. Guhabhai Lakshmanbhai Rathod, one of the lead salt farmers, is a fascinating protagonist, determined to pass down the secrets of salt farming to his children and grandchildren, despite the increasing challenges of producing salt in a changing world.

Overall, My Name is Salt is an absorbing and moving documentary that offers a unique and unforgettable window into the harsh but captivating world of salt farming. The film's immersive and intimate approach, combined with the stunning visuals and detailed soundscapes, capture the beauty and complexity of salt farming with clarity and depth. The film is a must-watch for anyone curious about the extraordinary ways humans engage with their environment and how they respond to changes over time.

My Name is Salt is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.