The Village Next To Paradise: dir Mo Harawe (2024)

The first Somali film to be featured at the Cannes Film Festival (in 2024), The Village Next to Paradise tells the story of Mamargrade who is struggling to raise his son Cigaal in their rural Somali village amidst conflict, natural disasters, and the constant presence of drones. The family dynamic is altered by the arrival of Marmargrade’s sister Araweelo, seeking a fresh start after her divorce. The newly formed family has to confront challenges while pursuing individual goals and facing the intricacies of modern life, relying on love, trust, and resilience to guide them.

This Austrian-produced film (in Somali with English subtitles) shows in the NAAS Film Festival programme under the theme ‘Family Reel: Celebrating the Year of the Family’.