‘The Village Next to Paradise’ Review: A Somali Family Has Humble Dreams in Quietly Powerful Film
variety.comMurtada Elfadl Dreams play a pivotal role in “The Village Next to Paradise.” One of the three main characters in writer-director Mo Harawe’s poignant debut, a pre-teen boy named Cigaal (Ahmed Mohamud Saleban), has a compulsion to share his dreams with anyone who’s willing to listen.
Cigaal longs for a land full of sweets, a place he sees in his sleep. The central threesome each have modest dreams: a small shop, a steady job and schooling.
Life is hard in their part of Somalia, and they just want it to become a little easier. It’s not much to ask for, and the humble ambition of the story’s characters reflects the filmmaker’s steady hand and patient vision.
Harawe’s assured and confident debut, the first Somali feature ever selected for Cannes, draws on a small canvas but manages to wring authentic emotions and tell a complete narrative.
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