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MSPIFF44 schedule is live! MSP Film Members & Passholders can reserve tickets now. 6 Pack redemptions and General Public tickets go on sale Sunday, March 16 at noon.

The Village Next to Paradise

The Village Next to Paradise

The Village Next to Paradise

Dir. Mo Harawe
133 min

In a windy Somali village, a newly assembled family must navigate between their different aspirations and the complex world surrounding them. Mamargade is a jack-of-all-trades in Paradise, a town in the war-torn Somali countryside. With his son, Cigaal, and sister, Araweelo, he’s trying to make ends meet in a country rife with violence and uncertainty. Mo Harawe’s debut feature was the first Somali film to be an official selection at Cannes.

Cigaal is a gifted child, clearly in need of additional schooling to help him realize his potential. Mamargade toils selflessly, taking on virtually any job–including gravedigger, a necessary gig in a land targeted by U.S. drone strikes–to see that his son’s education continues. Araweelo has her own troubles–she’s trying to start a clothing shop, but no local bank will loan money to a divorced woman, and her infertility means that her husband has his sights set elsewhere. Love, trust and resilience will power them through their life paths.

Film Details

Program: SEE ALL MSPIFF44 FILMS
Release Year: 2024
Runtime: 133 min
Country/Region: Somalia, France, Austria, Germany
Language: Somali
Print Source: Totem
Tags: Drama, Family, SWANA Stories, Women's Issues

Cast/Crew

Director: Mo Harawe
Executive Producer: Nuh Musse Berjeeb, Abdimalik Yusuf, Ahmed Farah, Osman Hassan Hussein
Producer: Sabine Moser, Oliver Neumann
Cinematographer: Mostafa El Kashef
Screenwriter: Mo Harawe
Editor: Joana Scrinzi
Principal Cast: Ahmed Ali Farah, Anab Ahmed Ibrahim, Ahmed Mohamud Saleban

Click showtimes for tickets

Showtimes

The Main 1

Friday, April 11th

Capri Theater

Saturday, April 12th

The Main 1

Sunday, April 13th