Mother Mother is a 2024 drama film written and directed by K'naan Warsame.[1] His directorial debut film after being previously best known as a hip hop musician, the film stars Maan Youssouf Ahmed as Qalifo, a widowed mother in Somalia who must go to extraordinary lengths to restore the peace after her son Asad (Elmi Rashid Elmi) is drawn into a violent confrontation with American tourist Liban (Hassan Najib).[2]
| Mother Mother | |
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| Directed by | K'naan Warsame |
| Written by | K'naan Warsame |
| Produced by | |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | César Charlone |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Isobel Waller-Bridge |
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Release date |
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Running time | 107 minutes |
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Plot
editOn a lonely farm in rural Somalia, the widowed Qalifo (Maan Youssouf Ahmed) and her college-age son Asad (Elmi Rashid Elmi) raise camels. Asad lives in the shadow of his late father's violent reputation and bristles at Qalifo's strict parenting, escaping to a nearby village whenever he can. And when Asad learns his girlfriend has been seeing another boy, the American visitor Liban (Hassan Najib), a confrontation is inevitable.
Cast
edit- Maan Youssouf Ahmed as Qalifo
- Hassan Najib as Liban
- Elmi Rashid Elmi as Asad
- Ubah Egal as Kadro
Production and release
editThe film was partially based on a real incident from Warsame's own life in Somalia prior to his family escaping to Canada as refugees.[3] The lead character is named in memory of his aunt, who died of cancer just as production began on the film.[4]
A co-production of companies from Kenya, Somalia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, the film premiered in the Discovery program at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.[5]
Critical response
editBeandra July of IndieWire graded the film a B+, writing that "by the end of 'Mother Mother' it dawned on me that this is precisely the kind of movie I come to TIFF for, a real voice that disabuses me of my assumptions, and my cynicism from the pain of watching so many movies that erase and belittle the Qalifas of the world. A movie that sends me back out into the light of day wondering."[2]
At TIFF, the film won the FIPRESCI Prize.[6]
References
edit- ^ Shea, Courtney (September 6, 2024). "'This movie is about the overlooked': K'naan Warsame on his first feature film, Mother Mother". Toronto Life. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ a b July, Beandrea (September 8, 2024). "'Mother Mother' Review: A Slow Burn Somali Drama Defies Expectations with a Complex Study of Familial Ties". IndieWire. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ Vourlias, Christopher (September 6, 2024). "'Wavin' Flag' Singer K'naan Warsame Dips Into His Own Life Story for Film Director Debut, 'Mother Mother'". Variety. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ Gheciu, Alex Nino (September 6, 2024). "K'naan got tired of the spotlight. So he stepped behind the camera for his debut film". The Canadian Press. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (July 24, 2024). "TIFF 2024: Laura Carreira's 'On Falling' & 'Bonjour Tristesse' Starring Chloë Sevigny Among Titles Set For Discovery Sidebar". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ Pond, Steve (September 15, 2024). "'The Life of Chuck' Wins Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award". TheWrap. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
External links
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