SAMIA
Based on the novel Don't Tell Me You're Afraid by Giuseppe Catozzella
by Yasemin Şamdereli
102', Feature Film
Italy, Germany, Belgium, 2024
Samia was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, during a terrible 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.
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.
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
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
cast llham Mohamed Osman, Fathia Mohamed Absie, Fatah Ghedi,
Elmi Rashid Elmi, Waris Dirie, Ryan Roble, Zakaria Mohamed
music Rodrigo D'Erasmo
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 collaboration with Cinepostproduction, The Piranesi Experience,
Pont Neuf Productions