Images of Africa
Special Screening Thursday, May 29 at 7pm
MSPIFF44 Official Selection

ABOUT THE FILM
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.

ABOUT IMAGES OF AFRICA
A screening series celebrating Minnesota’s African Diaspora community through the lens of international cinema. Images of Africa is presented by MSP Film and is funded in part by MN Humanities Center with with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.