In Cinemas: ›The Village Next to Paradise‹

Director Mo Harawe comes from Somalia and has lived in Vienna since 2009. In Cinemas: ›The Village Next to Paradise‹ is his debut and premiered at Un Certain Regard in Cannes - the first Somali film in Cannes! Mo Harawe tells a contemporary and surprising story from his home country in impressively composed images. The civil war is just as present as the post-colonial logic of globalisation. Nevertheless, Mamargade somehow makes ends meet as a traditional undertaker and looks after little Cigaal, whom he brings up alone. When his school closes, the teacher advises him to send the clever boy to boarding school. There is actually no money for this, so Mamargade has to think of something. His sister, who has just moved in with them after her divorce, has plans of her own.

Cinema release in Germany: January 30, 2025