Moscow, The Omani documentary “The Last Remaining” by Ali Al Baimani won the award of Best Documentary Short Film in Moscow International Short Film Festival.

“The Last Remaining” is a documentary that features some of the interesting stories of the oldest merchants of Bahla market, where the merchants recount their experiences with trade in the past and now.

The movie uncovers the secret of their business survival for many decades- up to 70 years in some cases. Historically, this is a significant documentary as it highlights the status of Bahla’s traditional market in its booming era as compared to that of now. Some archival clips of the market show the vitality of life in the market previously. However, this has changed and the market has lost its spirit. It has become a destination for meeting and sitting only. This change reflects the transformations of social life in Omani society. While life was simple and one central market was sufficient for the whole city, the requirements of modern life have become completely different. Markets have expanded and the city’s life prospered and became more complicated. The traditional, inner market that was yesterday central became traditional now. Only a small group of people, mostly old, continued to visit this place to meet acquaintances.

The documentary casts light on the issue of familiarity which a person may develop in their old age. Almost all of the merchants interviewed were over the age of seventy, but they still go to the market everyday- an activity which they have continued to do for many decades.

Despite the fact that their businesses may not be profitable, these old merchants rejoice over daily meetings and conversations with their fellow merchants- an act that connects the present with the past.

Source: Oman News Agency