Will My Parents Come to See Me

In a somber exploration of the Somali justice system, a seasoned policewoman leads a young inmate named Farah through his final procedures before facing execution. This narrative, crafted by Mo Harawe, a filmmaker born in Mogadishu, is both a poignant and critical reflection on the processes leading up to state-sanctioned death. As Farah prepares for his inevitable end, he is asked by everyone how he is doing, to which he repeatedly responds, "good," a stark contrast to his internal turmoil. This interaction underscores the film’s exploration of human resilience in the face of despair. Harawe’s film is characterized by its profound simplicity and the weight of its silence. The camera, often obstructed by physical barriers, symbolizes the emotional and systemic barriers between the characters and their freedom. The sound of the wind and a distant brass band pierce through the narrative, offering a surreal backdrop to the unfolding drama. Critics have praised the film for its unflinching portrayal of a condemned man's final day and the emotional complexity of those involved in the execution process. It premiered at the Berlinale in 2022, where it was recognized for its intimate yet expansive take on themes of justice, empathy, and the human spirit's endurance. Harawe's direction has been noted for its careful balance of narrative and visual storytelling, cementing his status as a filmmaker capable of addressing profound societal issues with sensitivity and depth.

Keywords

  • Award Winning
  • Creatives: Debut Films
  • Politics: Human Rights
  • Sooner Exclusives
  • Sooner Exclusives: Stories that Matter
  • Storyline: Sons
  • Africa
  • death
  • justice
  • moving
  • sixpackfilm

Actors

  • Xaliimo Cali Xasan
  • Shucayb Abdirahman Cabdi
  • Maxamed Axmed Maxamed
  • Mohamed Hirsi
  • Geenyada Madaw

Director

  • Mo Harawe

Drama


28min


16+

AR


EN

FR

IT

SV

PT

ES

DE

Austria
Germany
Somalia
2022
With destabilising gentleness, Mo Harawe recounts the last hours of the terrorist Farah before his execution.

With destabilising gentleness, Mo Harawe recounts the last hours of the terrorist Farah before his execution.


In a somber exploration of the Somali justice system, a seasoned policewoman leads a young inmate named Farah through his final procedures before facing execution. This narrative, crafted by Mo Harawe, a filmmaker born in Mogadishu, is both a poignant and critical reflection on the processes leading up to state-sanctioned death. As Farah prepares for his inevitable end, he is asked by everyone how he is doing, to which he repeatedly responds, "good," a stark contrast to his internal turmoil. This interaction underscores the film’s exploration of human resilience in the face of despair.


Harawe’s film is characterized by its profound simplicity and the weight of its silence. The camera, often obstructed by physical barriers, symbolizes the emotional and systemic barriers between the characters and their freedom. The sound of the wind and a distant brass band pierce through the narrative, offering a surreal backdrop to the unfolding drama.


Critics have praised the film for its unflinching portrayal of a condemned man's final day and the emotional complexity of those involved in the execution process. It premiered at the Berlinale in 2022, where it was recognized for its intimate yet expansive take on themes of justice, empathy, and the human spirit's endurance. Harawe's direction has been noted for its careful balance of narrative and visual storytelling, cementing his status as a filmmaker capable of addressing profound societal issues with sensitivity and depth.

Award
European Film Award

Festivals

Cast & Crew