Coffee & Allah

In this gentle but moving short film, sparse dialogue makes way for visual storytelling and striking imagery — a colbalt blue purdah, a hedge as a badminton net, coffee roasting in the dark. Coffee and Allah follows Abeba (Zahara Abbawaaji), a young Muslim woman adapting to her new home of Aotearoa and striving to make a connection, even when language is a barrier. Marking the first collaboration between writer Shuchi Kothari and director Sima Urale — their feature film Apron Strings was released a year later — the film enjoyed overseas festival success, including selection for the prestigious Venice Film Festival.  

My mother said when you roast coffee you thank Allah for the food he provides us. It's Allah's blessing that turns each bean from white to brown.

– Abeba (Zahara Abbawaaji)

Key Cast & Crew

Joe Folau

As: Nonu

Zahara Abbawaaji

As: Abeba

Rewa Harre

Cinematographer

Shuchi Kothari

Writer, Producer

Sima Urale

Director

Eric De Beus

Editor