Latest news with #TheVillageNexttoParadise
Broadcast Pro
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Cinema Akil to screen Somali film ‘The Village Next to Paradise'
'The Village Next to Paradise', a Cannes-selected poetic drama by Mo Harawe, centred on a family in a Somali village navigating life between hardship and hope. As part of Arab Cinema Week Volume 4, Cinema Akil will host special screenings of The Village Next to Paradise on May 4 and May 9, with director Mo Harawe in attendance. Presented by Fujifilm in collaboration with Alserkal Avenue and supported by Soul Communications, the event highlights a landmark in Somali cinema. Directed and written by Mo Harawe in his feature debut, The Village Next to Paradise transports viewers to the serene backdrop of a Somali village, where a family recently brought back together must navigate the fragile balance between personal aspirations and societal pressures. The film offers an intimate portrayal of life in the village, capturing the everyday struggles and dreams of its residents. The cast includes Ahmed Ali Farah, Ahmed Mahmoud Suleiman and Anab Ahmed Ibrahim. Joana Scrinzi handled the film's editing, while Noor Abdulkadir served as production designer. Egyptian cinematographer Mostafa El Kashef made his feature debut on the film, earning the Best Cinematography award at the Diagonale Austrian Film Festival. The film also won Best Feature Film at the same festival. The Village Next to Paradise holds the distinction of being the first Somali film to screen at the Cannes Film Festival. El Kashef, who gained acclaim for his work on the project, will return to Cannes this May with his latest film, Aisha Can't Fly. International sales are handled by Totem Films, with Jour2Fête managing French distribution and MAD Distribution covering the MENA region.
Broadcast Pro
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Zawya Cinema brings Somali film ‘The Village Next to Paradise' to Egyptian screens
'The Village Next to Paradise' is a 2024 drama film written and directed by Mo Harawe in his feature-length debut. Zawya Cinema has invited Egyptian filmgoers to experience The Village Next to Paradise through a special week-long screening starting April 23. Distributed by MAD, the film will be shown to local audiences outside the festival circuit for the first time in Egypt. Directed and written by Mo Harawe in his feature debut, The Village Next to Paradise transports viewers to the serene backdrop of a Somali village, where a family recently brought back together must navigate the fragile balance between personal aspirations and societal pressures. The film offers an intimate portrayal of life in the village, capturing the everyday struggles and dreams of its residents. The cast includes Ahmed Ali Farah, Ahmed Mahmoud Suleiman and Anab Ahmed Ibrahim. Joana Scrinzi handled the film's editing, while Noor Abdulkadir served as production designer. Egyptian cinematographer Mostafa El Kashef made his feature debut on the film, earning the Best Cinematography award at the Diagonale Austrian Film Festival. The film also won Best Feature Film at the same festival. The Village Next to Paradise holds the distinction of being the first Somali film to screen at the Cannes Film Festival. El Kashef, who gained acclaim for his work on the project, will return to Cannes this May with his latest film, Aisha Can't Fly.
FACT
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
Arab Cinema Week returns to Cinema Akil this May
The event will screen 10 feature films. Few venues have altered the cultural landscape of Dubai like Cinema Akil – not only is it the first arthouse cinema in the region, but it has also been instrumental in building awareness of independent filmmaking in both the UAE and the Middle East as a whole. Now, the independent cinema is gearing up to host its Arab Cinema Week from 2 to 11 May, bringing with it both stories and talent from the region. Arab Cinema Week Volume 4 promises to be a spectacular journey into the heart of Arab cinema. Spanning ten countries and a diverse mix of genres, this year's Arab Cinema Week delves into the soul of a region in flux. Volume 4 is ultimately a celebration of people—their struggles, their resilience, and the dreams that keep them moving forward. Of the ten feature films selected, six will have their Gulf premieres, and three will screen in the UAE for the first time. Arab Cinema Week opens with a chilling psychological horror from the UAE—Three by Nayla Al Khaja. Rooted in themes of tradition, faith, and the supernatural, the film sets the tone for a powerful program that spans ten Arab countries and an array of genres/ Following the opening night, the lineup includes The Village Next to Paradise by Mo Harawe, a poetic drama set in a Somali village grappling with survival and dreams, and Arzé by Mira Shaib, a tender yet humorous portrait of a mother and son navigating Beirut's sectarian fault lines in search of a stolen scooter. Mond, directed by Kurdwin Ayub, follows an Austrian martial artist into the cloistered world of three Jordanian sisters where power and identity collide. Other highlights include Saify by Wael Abu Mansour from Saudi Arabia, blending nostalgic humor with poignant reflection, and Aicha by Mehdi Barsaoui, a powerful account of a woman who fakes her own death to escape oppression—only to confront even deeper scars. In the documentary section, Abo Zaabal 89 by Bassam Mortada offers a moving father-son reflection on the weight of political decisions, while In My Memory is Full of Ghosts by Anas Zawahri explores the haunting beauty of post-war Homs. Finally, Sudan, Remember Us by Hind Meddeb, chronicles the unyielding spirit of Sudan's youth amid the country's ongoing political unrest. This year's edition continues to spotlight the dynamic evolution of Arab cinema, with nearly half of the featured films directed by women, underscoring Cinema Akil's ongoing commitment to championing Arab women's voices both in front of and behind the camera. Select screenings will also feature Q&A sessions with the filmmakers, providing audiences with a deeper insight into the stories and creative visions on screen. Grab your tickets now. It's going to be a blockbuster event. GO: Visit for tickets and more information.
Broadcast Pro
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Mostafa El Kashef wins award at Diagonale for ‘The Village Next to Paradise'
'The Village Next to Paradise' is a 2024 drama film written and directed by Mo Harawe in his feature-length debut. Egyptian cinematographer Mostafa El Kashef has clinched the Best Cinematography Award at the Diagonale – Festival of Austrian Film in Graz for his work on The Village Next to Paradise, a Somali feature by director Mo Harawe. This marks El Kashef's second cinematography award for the film. The film also received Best Fiction Feature at the festival, with the jury praising its 'fine sense of nuance' and 'gentle impact.' In addition to the accolades, the film was awarded €15,000 from the Culture Department of the Federal State of Styria, a €1,000 prize and €3,000 advertising credit from streaming platform watchAUT, and a €4,000 voucher from The Grand Post – Post Production House. Set against the backdrop of a remote Somali desert village, The Village Next to Paradise follows a newly formed family as they navigate love, trust and resilience amidst civil unrest and environmental hardship. The film is Mo Harawe's feature directorial debut and the first-ever Somali-shot film to screen at Cannes, where it premiered to a standing ovation in the Un Certain Regard section. El Kashef's cinematography has been a key element in the film's international success, previously earning him Best Cinematography at the Carthage Film Festival. The film has collected six additional international awards from prestigious festivals in Chicago, Sarajevo, Munich, Cork, and Marrakech and won Best Austrian Film at the Viennale. Critics have widely celebrated the film's visuals, with The Hollywood Reporter's Lovia Gyarkye calling the imagery 'truly striking,' while Screendaily's Nikki Baughan praised its 'striking visual literacy.' Featuring rising Somali talents such as Ahmed Ali Farah, Ahmed Mohamud Saleban and Anab Ahmed Ibrahim, the film is an international co-production between FreibeuterFilm (Austria), Kazak Productions (France), Niko Film (Germany), and Maanmaal ACC (Somalia). International sales are handled by Totem Films, with Jour2Fête managing French distribution and MAD Distribution covering the MENA region. El Kashef, a celebrated member of the MAD Crew, is also known for his work on 13 cinematic projects including his debut feature 19 B, which earned him the Best Artistic Contribution Award at the Cairo International Film Festival. His earlier short films such as My Festival, Jebel Banat, and This Is My Night have garnered critical acclaim, including a Best Cinematography win at Cinemaz Brasil.
