New Documentary Tells The Story Of Somali Life In Manchester
The Somali community in Britain is rarely represented on our screens and seldom considered when we think about our country’s immigrant story.
Mohamud Yusuf Mussa and Yasin Mohamed, two young British Somali filmmakers from Manchester, hadn’t failed to notice this gap.
In order to address the issue the pair created See My Dunya, a new documentary that explores the Somali community in their hometown.
Through interviews and anecdotes, the film allows Somali-Mancunians to tell an array of stories that have been unfolding for over 20 years in the northern city, giving them a platform that hasn’t existed before.
“I think one of the biggest issues that we’ve faced is the fact that we’re quite underrepresented,” Yasin told the BBC, “and there aren’t enough faces in the community.”
Much of See My Dunya looks at Moss Side, a diverse community in the south of Manchester that was often the focus of news reports about crime in the city
“Most of the things that were coming out from Moss Side were quick to focus on the bad aspects and the bad things that were happening,” Yasin explained.
“This documentary is important because it highlights all the….positive stories that no one really highlights,” Mohamud added.
The film forms part of the See My Dunya exhibition, which is on display at Manchester Central Library until 23 March 2019.
The co-directors of the film hope the documentary and the wider exhibition have a lasting impact on their community—and on the younger generation.
“The hope and aim….is literally to inspire and to tell the story that’s never been told really, or hasn’t been told in a positive light.
“I really hope other people see this and [think] ‘cool, I can do it too….I can tell my story and be very proud of it.’”
See My Dunya runs at Manchester Central Library until 23 March 2019. For more information, click here.