AN unforgettable documentary film, My Name Is Salt, is Ilkley Film Society's next screening on Sunday, November 8 at Ilkley Playhouse (8pm).

Each year, in the Indian state of Gujarat, thousands of families travel to a vast desert area in the Rann of Kutch and live there for eight months, extracting high-quality salt from the land before the monsoons come and the sea floods the area again.

Farida Pacha's film stays with one family during this period and, without any commentary or interviews, observes the way they live and the salt-making process. We are puzzled at first by some of their actions but, as the film takes its course, the purpose of everything becomes clear and we marvel at the resourcefulness on which the family's survival depends.

The cinematography is breathtaking – rarely can an “empty” landscape have looked so beautiful on film – and the film has won prizes at festivals all over the world. After one screening an audience member was heard to say “I shall never waste salt again!”

This is the first of the Film Society's two annual special events at which non-members are particularly welcome at a special low price. Guest tickets cost just £2 (£1 for students) and can be reserved by telephoning Richard Fort on 01535 653471. Further information on the current season is available online at www.ilkleyfilmsociety.org.uk