Præsidenten fra Nordvest | |
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![]() Official poster for the film | |
Directed by | Lars Feldballe Petersen |
Starring | Ahmed Farah Dualeh |
Narrated by | Jacob Andersen |
Edited by | Jacob Andersen |
Music by | Povl Kristian |
Release date | 20 March 2017 |
Running time | 65 minutes |
Country | Denmark |
Præsidenten fra Nordvest (English: President from Nordvest) is a Danish documentary film directed by Lars Feldballe Petersen about Amed Farah Dualeh's attempt to bring democratic values to Somalia during its civil war. [1] The film premiered at the Danish Film Festival on 20 March 2017. [2]
My life has been a long journey, and I have been blessed to come to Denmark to study, it gave me the opportunity to lay the foundation and I will to return to Somalia to give something back.
— Ahmed Farah Dualeh [3]
The documentary follows Somalian-born, Ahmed Farah Dualeh, and his ambition to gain political power in the Somali region of Jubaland. [3] Dualeh's initial ambition is to become the prime minister rather than the president, as the role changes more frequently. [4] Born into a poor nomadic family and living comfortably for 47 years in Denmark where he worked as a sea captain at Aalborg Portland, [5] the 67-year-old feels compelled to re-engage with Somali politics, driven by his desire to give back to his homeland. [6] The documentary addresses the increasing challenges faced by Dualeh as he lives as a Somali immigrant in Denmark amidst the country's rise of conservatism. [7]
Supported by his wife, Zahra, he departs from his home in the Nordvest, Copenhagen with the ambition to rebuild Somalia, inspired by Danish democratic values. [8] He finds that resistance in Somalia is strong, and successes are scarce. Over time, his foundation starts to weaken, causing a growing distance from his family in Denmark. The silent struggles of his wife are documented, along with her eventual acceptance of Dualeh's choices. [7] Named by a group of Somali exiles, he is given the title of president-in-exile of Gedo, Middle Jubba, and Lower Jubba, which together form Jubaland. [9] The film explores the risks Dualeh was prepared to undertake in his goal to rebuild his homeland. [2] The documentary concludes with him abandoning his aspirations, citing a lack of understanding of the Somali political landscape. [4]
The documentary was filmed over a period of three years, [3] and is based on an idea by the film's editor and narrator Jacob Andersen. Petersen was inspired by Dualeh's story and admired his desire to instil democratic Danish values in a country which was embroiled in a civil war. The film was first broadcast on Danish television on channel DR2, in a 59-minute version, on 28 December 2017. [1]
Præsidenten fra Nordvest | |
---|---|
![]() Official poster for the film | |
Directed by | Lars Feldballe Petersen |
Starring | Ahmed Farah Dualeh |
Narrated by | Jacob Andersen |
Edited by | Jacob Andersen |
Music by | Povl Kristian |
Release date | 20 March 2017 |
Running time | 65 minutes |
Country | Denmark |
Præsidenten fra Nordvest (English: President from Nordvest) is a Danish documentary film directed by Lars Feldballe Petersen about Amed Farah Dualeh's attempt to bring democratic values to Somalia during its civil war. [1] The film premiered at the Danish Film Festival on 20 March 2017. [2]
My life has been a long journey, and I have been blessed to come to Denmark to study, it gave me the opportunity to lay the foundation and I will to return to Somalia to give something back.
— Ahmed Farah Dualeh [3]
The documentary follows Somalian-born, Ahmed Farah Dualeh, and his ambition to gain political power in the Somali region of Jubaland. [3] Dualeh's initial ambition is to become the prime minister rather than the president, as the role changes more frequently. [4] Born into a poor nomadic family and living comfortably for 47 years in Denmark where he worked as a sea captain at Aalborg Portland, [5] the 67-year-old feels compelled to re-engage with Somali politics, driven by his desire to give back to his homeland. [6] The documentary addresses the increasing challenges faced by Dualeh as he lives as a Somali immigrant in Denmark amidst the country's rise of conservatism. [7]
Supported by his wife, Zahra, he departs from his home in the Nordvest, Copenhagen with the ambition to rebuild Somalia, inspired by Danish democratic values. [8] He finds that resistance in Somalia is strong, and successes are scarce. Over time, his foundation starts to weaken, causing a growing distance from his family in Denmark. The silent struggles of his wife are documented, along with her eventual acceptance of Dualeh's choices. [7] Named by a group of Somali exiles, he is given the title of president-in-exile of Gedo, Middle Jubba, and Lower Jubba, which together form Jubaland. [9] The film explores the risks Dualeh was prepared to undertake in his goal to rebuild his homeland. [2] The documentary concludes with him abandoning his aspirations, citing a lack of understanding of the Somali political landscape. [4]
The documentary was filmed over a period of three years, [3] and is based on an idea by the film's editor and narrator Jacob Andersen. Petersen was inspired by Dualeh's story and admired his desire to instil democratic Danish values in a country which was embroiled in a civil war. The film was first broadcast on Danish television on channel DR2, in a 59-minute version, on 28 December 2017. [1]