Cinema
The Somali Dervish
Said Salah Ahmed · 1985
Synopsis
The film traces the life of Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, whom the British called the Mad Mullah, from his beginnings as a religious scholar to the head of the Dervish state, and his campaigns against the colonial armies at the beginning of the twentieth century, when he stood up to the British forces for more than twenty years. The fresco, more than four hours long, features hundreds of actors and extras, and the leading role is played by one of the descendants of the Dervish leader.
Context
Shot from 1983 to 1985 with a budget of 1.8 million dollars, the film was produced by Amar Sneh, who is also given as co-director, while the Mubi platform associates Abdulkadir Ahmed Said with the direction. Its dialogue mixes Somali, Arabic, Italian, English and three regional dialects. The lead role goes to Sheikh Osman Mohamoud Omar, and the whole runs four and a half hours according to the technical sheets. Its Somali title is Darwiishka Soomaaliyeed.
Who it is for
For those interested in great historical frescoes and in the dervishes' resistance to the colonial powers.
Prizes and reception
Regarded as lost after the collapse of the State, it was found in late 2019 in the Indian film archives in Pune.
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