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.  

I grew up in Kenya because of the war. But thanks to Allah's grace, I am here now.

– Abeba (Zahara Abbawaaji)

Key Cast & Crew

Zahara Abbawaaji

As: Abeba

Shuchi Kothari

Writer, Producer

Joe Folau

As: Nonu

Eric De Beus

Editor

Sima Urale

Director

Rewa Harre

Cinematographer