The documentary Finding the Way Home, helmed by Zakaria Mohamed Ali and selected for AJB DOC Main Pitch, tells a story that began fifteen years ago. The director, a Somali journalist who made it to Lampedusa, had escaped the civil war in Mogadishu via a dangerous route. Now Zakaria retraces that perilous path, walking back to revisit his homeland for the first time since his escape. Along the way, he encounters old companions who shared the journey, aiming to uncover lost memories and witness their current lives.
The project is currently at development stage, producer Ali Ben Mohamed tells BDE. “From an investment standpoint, AJB DOC represents our initial outreach to potential investors and broadcasters. Therefore, we are in the process of bringing all the necessary components together to complete the entire budget for the film.”
“Additionally, BM Entertainment is a UK-based company, while the film’s primary setting is in Italy. To address this, we believe it’s crucial to establish an Italian co-production partnership with experience and interest in projects of this nature. This partnership would provide invaluable support for the project’s development and grant us access to resources in Italy. Therefore, we are actively seeking potential Italian partners, starting with AJB DOC and MIA in Rome, and exploring other markets for collaboration.”
Speaking about the challenges the creative team is facing along the way, the producer does not hide that “the limited interest in Italy, given the difficult period the country is going through” is one of the biggest.
“One of the major hurdles for this project is its thematic content. The theme has been explored extensively in the past, and audiences may take the story for granted owing to its over-exposure. Our creative challenge is to provide a fresh and unique visual and narrative experience to captivate the audience,” he further explains.
Ben Mahmoud highlights that the film distribution strategy will primarily focus on film festivals and broadcasters “sharing an interest in similar themes and subjects.”
An impact campaign is also in the works: “We are in the process of identifying impact partners, including NGOs and smaller organisations that can support and adopt our projects during the impact campaign. At present, we have partnered with AMM (Archivio delle memorie migranti), and we continue to seek additional partners as we progress through the development phase.”
The research work carried out on this project includes interviews with Zakaria “to gain a deeper understanding of his past experiences,” historical research related to the civil war in Somalia, archival research (including access to private archives), “locating the specific locations Zakaria traversed to partially reconstruct his journey,” and “identifying and interviewing individuals whom Zakaria encountered during his journey from 2006 to 2008.” In particular, these interviews aim to provide diverse perspectives and testimonies about their current lives and the inclusivity process in Europe and the UK.
Aesthetically speaking, the documentary will be shaped like a road movie. “Zakaria’s journey begins in Rome, then extends across Europe, including Tunisia and Ethiopia, ultimately leading to Somalia. This journey showcases the stark contrasts between different landscapes, such as Europe and Africa, marking as well the past and the present.”
“Additionally, we employ a frame within a frame narrative technique. While the first director/character, Zakaria, uses an intimate approach, handling the camera as he communicates with his son, the second director provides an external perspective, offering a contrasting point of view,” says producer Ben Mahmoud.
In terms of creative approach, the film “seamlessly blends two distinct styles.” The first is live-action footage, which captures Zakaria’s present-day investigative journey, whilst the second is animation, which breathes life into Zakaria’s childhood memories. “These animations not only portray the nostalgic quality of his past but also serve as a narrative device for a father addressing his son,” Ben Mahmoud insists.
“To provide context, we incorporate archival footage from Mogadishu in the 90s and major events from that period, enriching Zakaria’s journey. In the first part of the film, through animation, we aim to depict Zakaria’s happy childhood and establish a sense of belonging. Despite the war’s shadow, Zakaria maintains a childlike curiosity and an appreciation for life. This segment seeks to create a stable foundation based on his sense of loyalty and belonging.”
“However, as Zakaria’s journey progresses and he recalls his past, his perception of Mogadishu shifts, transforming it into a hostile place that drives him to flee. Consequently, we gradually deconstruct the sense of home and stability he once enjoyed.”
The second part of the film covers Zakaria’s journey from Eritrea to Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, and finally Lampedusa: “With the help of live action and music, we aim to convey the experience of exile and desolation, capturing the profound emotions that arise when everything is lost, leaving one in a state of uncertainty.”
Ben Mahmoud is confident that Zakaria Mohamed Ali is the best fit for telling his own story: “Zakaria presented a compelling project, and I was initially drawn to its powerful narrative. However, it was when I watched his first short film, To Whom It May Concern, that I recognised his talent as a director. This combination of a compelling story and his directorial skill solidified our decision to work with Zakaria Mohamed Ali on this project.”
