The Village Next To Paradise
Dir. Mo Harawe | Cast: Ahmed Ali Farah, Anab Ahmed Ibrahim, Ahmed Mohamud Saleban | 2024
4 Nov | Rich Mix, London
In a coastal Somali town, a recently reunited family must navigate their personal aspirations, the omnipresent threat of drone attacks, and their enduring dreams for a better future.
Shot entirely in Somalia with a cast of amateur actors, the village next to paradise showcases Somali life beyond one-dimensional headlines. While it does show the difficulties of living in tough political and economic times, it doesn’t linger on them; Instead it deftly balances its characters’ determination with the heavier themes.
hope punctuates every beat, And laced into The Village Next to Paradise’s narrative is somalia’s culture of generosity and humour.
Unfortunately, the village next to paradise is not streaming at the moment. linked under the trailer is the film’s distributor, Totem films.
A Nation Of Poets
Somali poetry is one of the richest oral traditions in the world. For centuries, it has expressed love, courage, faith, and resistance, giving voice to one Somali generation after another. This oral tradition is still strong today—even with the dispersal of its children across the world—poets like Warsan Shire, K’Naan, Zahra Abdihagi and Suldaan Seeraar follow in the footsteps of great Somali poets by keeping their oral and lyrical heritage alive for new generations.Zahra Abdihagi
WARSAN SHIRE
Warsan Shire is aSomali-British poet and writer, widely acclaimed for her poetry on identity, migration, and the Somali diaspora. Warsan's work has gone viral a few times due to her contributions to Beyoncé’s Lemonade and her poem Home.SULDAAN Seeraar
K’ NAAN
Suldaan Seeraar is a contemporary Somali singer who integrates traditional rhythms, instruments, and poetry into modern music. His songs celebrate Somali culture, while connecting to the broader East African culture and community..K’Naan is a Somali-Canadian poet, rapper, and musician known for fusing hip-hop with Somalia's rhythmic storytelling. His lyrics often address war, displacement, social justice, and resilience, giving a modern voice to Somali experiences worldwide.A Culture of Oral Histories
For more on Somali Oral history visit KAYD SOMALI ARTS & CULTURE culture house and @Somalitography7