| The Village Next to Paradise | |
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| Directed by | Mo Harawe |
| Story by | Mo Harawe |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Mostafa El Kashef |
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| Release date |
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| Running time | 132 minutes |
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The Village Next to Paradise is a 2024 drama film written and directed by Mo Harawe in his feature-length debut. Starring Ahmed Ali Farah, Ahmed Mohamud Saleban, and Anab Ahmed Ibrahim as a family in turmoil, The Village Next to Paradise was the first Somali film to be featured in the Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival.
Premise
Mamargrade (Farah) struggles to raise his son Cigaal (Saleban) in their rural Somali village amidst conflict, natural disasters, and the constant presence of drones from the United States. Their family dynamic is further altered by the arrival of Marmargrade's sister Araweelo (Ibrahim), who is seeking a fresh start after her divorce.
Cast
- Ahmed Ali Farah as Mamamrgrade
- Anab Ahmed Ibrahim as Araweelo
- Ahmed Mohamud Saleban as Cigaal
Production
The film was shot in Somalia with a principal cast of first-time actors.
Release
The Village Next to Paradise premiered on May 21, 2024, in the Un Certain Regard portion of the Cannes Film Festival, where it was eligible for the Camera d'Or award. It has also been selected for the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 under the World Cinema section.
Reception
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 6 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7/10.
Accolades
| Award | Ceremony date | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannes Film Festival | 24 May 2024 | Un Certain Regard | The Village Next to Paradise | Nominated | |
| 25 May 2024 | Camera d'Or | Pending |
References
- ^ Baughan, Nikki. "'The Village Next To Paradise': Cannes Review". Screen Daily. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie. "Totem Films Boards Sales On Somali Cannes Un Certain Regard Title 'The Village Next To Paradise'". Deadline. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ Vourlias, Christopher. "Somali Filmmaker Mo Harawe Makes History in Cannes With Intimate Family Drama 'The Village Next to Paradise'". Variety. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ Abraham, Hannah. "Somali Director Mo Harawe Talks History-Making Cannes Title 'The Village Next To Paradise': "For 70% Of The Crew, It Was First Time On A Film Set"". Deadline. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- "Mo Harawe with "Village Next to Paradise" in Cannes". Kunsthochschule Kassel. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- Deb, Deepshikha (2024-09-30). "MAMI Mumbai Film Festival Unveils 2024 Official Lineup". High On Films. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
- "The Village Next to Paradise". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
