Screened as part of the official competition of the 21st Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM)«The Village Next to Paradise», first feature film by the Somali screenwriter and director For Harareinstalled in Austriastands out as a deeply human and sensitive work.
The film brings a fresh and original perspective on the Somaliaoften poorly represented in movie theater. Combining raw emotion and political context, it explores the daily struggles of a family in a remote village, while evoking the country’s socio-economic challenges and internal and external tensions. Mamargade (Ahmed Ali Farah), a single father, lives in a remote area where drone strikes are a constant threat. The desert, swept by violent winds, frames his daily life and that of his son, Cigaal (Ahmed Mohamud Saleban). Mamargade struggles to provide for her family. Driver, vehicle repairer, gravedigger… his jobs are varied, but his efforts often go unnoticed, despite their crucial importance for their survival. When Cigaal’s instructor disappears, Mamargade wants to enroll him in a nearby boarding school, despite his son’s opposition.
The film also features Araweelo (Anab Ahmed Ibrahim), Mamargade’s sister, who dreams of rebuilding her life away from marital problems and creating her own clothing store, but comes up against the difficulties of social reality. The modest ambition of the story’s characters illustrates the filmmaker’s mastery and thoughtful vision. Through this family story, Mo Harawe seeks to paint a complex and nuanced portrait of Somalia, far from the clichés often conveyed in the media. “It’s about an unconventional Somali family who we follow in their daily lives and see what affects their decisions. And while we follow them, we see what is happening in the country in the background,” explains the director, describing his fiction in FIFM 2024.
The image from the film, signed Mostafa El Kashefis another major asset. Capturing the wild beauty of the Somali landscapes, she transcribes with great accuracy the relentless light of the desert and the contrasts of a world that is both majestic and brutal. The director of photography reflects on the technical challenges encountered during filming: “It was one of the most difficult films I have ever shot. The environment was very harsh, and we had to get creative, making our own props and frames.” El Kashef and his team faced severe logistical constraints, including the inability to bring equipment from Vienna due to transportation problems. The director, Mo Harawe, reacted pragmatically, emphasizing: “When we don’t have all the resources, we have to be creative.” This allowed the team to find inventive solutions and turn challenges into creative opportunities.
The film also stands out for the performance of its non-professional actors, who bring a rare authenticity. Mo Harawe comments: “I can’t say that the actors were non-professionals, but rather untrained actors, because they gave me exceptional performances.” This approach reinforces the authenticity of the film and allows spectators to fully immerse themselves in the reality of the characters. Mo Harawe and his team have succeeded in creating a bold and moving work of cinema, which opens new perspectives for the movie theater dEast Africa.
Revealed at Cannes Film Festivalthis film promises to be a centerpiece of the contemporary cinema. Through universal themes like love, sacrifice and dedication, “The Village Next to Paradise” invites us to look at Somalia from another angle, far from stereotypes, and to discover a cinema that is both sensitive and deeply rooted. in the reality of its inhabitants.