Salam Sarane.
17 brothers. The Moluccas. A documentary about brotherhood, tolerance, and the bond between Muslims and Christians.
A story of brotherhood.
My, Yasser Ishraqi, Salam Sarane bond with Gerano Hatumena began when we were eleven years old, as neighbours growing up together. That bond took on a deeper meaning in 2019, when we, as best friends, travelled together to the Moluccas for the first time. There, I was able to experience Pela Gandong in real life.
In February 2024, the idea emerged to capture Salam Sarane in the Moluccas in the form of a documentary. In June 2024, it finally happened: together with seventeen brothers, we travelled to the Moluccas to intertwine the story of Nowruz with that of Salam Sarane. It became the most meaningful journey of my life.
17 young men with different backgrounds travel to the Moluccas to document the unique brotherhood and tolerance between Muslims and Christians. Through personal stories, historical context, and a specially organised futsal tournament, the film shows how religious and cultural differences can come together in a shared identity of respect and solidarity.
Katong samua basudara.
On Monday 26 October we came together at Balai Pusat, the Moluccan foundation in Vaassen. It was a special evening with a beautiful turnout. We screened Salam Sarane there for the first time, followed by a Q&A. Oom Emoes, Shirley Choy, Lucas Luhukay and Claudia Saija played live lagu-lagu, and the Pelupessy family cooked a warm meal for everyone. That evening we also showed the clothing we made together with M Artwear for the first time.
Something was still unfinished. The people who gave us their homes and their stories have never seen the film themselves. That is why we are going back to Ambon at the end of this year: with the film in our suitcases to the villages where we filmed, with a new futsal tournament as a bridge between communities, and together with dance group Djudjaro Maluku.
The clothing with M Artwear, a Moluccan brand that has proudly worn its roots since 2014, belongs to that journey. Thank you to Randy for trusting Nowruz and the message. Faith divides no one. Love unites everyone.
Thank you to Balai Pusat, Daisy, Johan and the girls of Djudjaro Maluku for organising the evening.
Next stop: Vught.
See the post on Instagram →
Brotherhood,
on screen.
Seventeen brothers, one journey to the Moluccas, and a story of brotherhood and tolerance now touring the Netherlands.