102’, 2024
SAMIA
Based on the book Don't tell me you are afraid by Giuseppe Catozzella
Directed by:
Yasemin Şamdereli, in collaboration with
Deka Mohamed Osman
Screenplay:
Yasemin Şamdereli
Nesrin Şamdereli
Giuseppe Catozzella
Director of Photography:
Florian Berutti
Produced by:
Indyca with Rai Cinema, Neue Bioskop Film, Tarantula, in coproduction with BIM Produzione, MOMENTO FILM, VOO, BeTV and Shelter Prod
Production country:
Italy
Germany
Belgium
Cast:
llham Mohamed Osman, Fathia Mohamed Absie, Fatah Ghedi, Elmi Rashid Elmi, Waris Dirie, Ryan Roble, Zakaria Mohamed
Produced by:
Simone Catania, Dietmar Güntsche, Anja Karina Richter, Francesca Portalupi, Michele Fornasero, Martin Rohé, Joseph Rouschop, David Herdies, Christoph Fisser, Riccardo Russo
Co-produced by:
Isabelle Georgeaux, Matteo Bianco, Kristina Börjeson
Music:
Rodrigo D'Erasmo
Samia was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, during the civil war. She was only 9 years old when she discovered
her special talent: she was faster than all the other boys and girls. With the help of her best friend Ali, Samia
will turn this talent into a dream: to represent Somalia at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
She came in last during the women’s 200 meter race, but the world cheered her on in a truly magical
moment. Upon returning to Somalia, Samia was immediately victimized by the reprisals of the Islamic rulers
of the country, she had run without a headscarf – an unforgivable mortal sin. Samia now, risking her life,
decides to undertake “the journey” to reach Europe following the dream to compete at the London Olympics in
2012. Her amazing and inspiring story is the story of a young athlete who defied the odds, but more
importantly, is a global story of hope for the many who cross our seas looking for freedom and a better life.
With the support of
EURIMAGES, CREATIVE EUROPE, MIC – ITALIAN MINISTRY OF CULTURE, APULIA FILM COMMISSION, MIBACT, FFA DEVELOPMENT FUND, FILM COMMISSION TORINO PIEMONTE, FILMFERNSEHFONDS BAYERN, FILMFÖRDERUNGSANSTALT, MITTELDEUTSCHE MEDIENFÖRDERUNG, MEDIENBOARD BERLIN-BRANDENBURG, DEUTSCHER FILMFÖRDERFONDS, TAXSHELTER.BE, ING, TAX SHELTER OF THE BELGIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, FILM I VAST
With the participation of
WALLIMAGE (WALLONIA)
In association with
CINEPOSTPRODUCTION, THE PIRANESI EXPERIENCE, PONT NEUF PRODUCTIONS
