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Naima Mohamud Explains Why Finland Needs a Film Like ‘Halima’: ‘It Was a Long Time Coming’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Finnish-Somali director Naima Mohamud's debut feature "Halima" has been named Best Fiction Project at the Finnish Film Affair, marking the first Finnish feature film directed by a Black woman. Mohamud emphasises the cultural significance of the film, noting that Somali communities have lived in Finland for over 35 years yet most Finnish people remain unfamiliar with their culture and daily life. She hopes the film will foster greater understanding between Somali and Finnish communities.
The film, set in 1998 and currently in post-production, follows a 10-year-old Somali girl obsessed with pop culture icons like Leonardo DiCaprio and the band Aqua, who dreams of becoming a pop star whilst struggling as an outsider within her own family and among her peers. Mohamud deliberately works in the genre of joyful cinema and has developed a particular talent for directing children, valuing their uninhibited confidence and imaginative thinking. She is intentional about selecting projects that align with her directorial identity, consciously avoiding serious, poetic work that would require sensibilities beyond her strengths.
In short
- First Finnish feature directed by Black woman wins major festival award
- Film addresses long-overlooked Somali-Finnish identity and cultural understanding
- Director specialises in joyful cinema centred on children's perspectives
Explained simply
Naima Mohamud is a Finnish-Somali filmmaker making her debut feature "Halima", which tells the story of a 10-year-old Somali girl in 1998 Finland. The film is notable because Finnish cinema has rarely centred stories from Somali communities, despite their presence in the country for over three decades.
"Halima" follows the young protagonist as she navigates being an outsider within her own family and among her peers, whilst harbouring dreams of pop stardom inspired by icons like Leonardo DiCaprio and the band Aqua. Mohamud works in the genre of joyful cinema and has developed particular skill in directing children, valuing their natural confidence and imaginative thinking.
Mohamud sees her film as addressing an important gap: despite Somali communities having lived in Finland for over 35 years, most Finnish people remain unfamiliar with their culture and everyday lives. She hopes "Halima" will foster greater understanding and connection between the two communities.