The Gravedigger's Wife at Toronto International Film Festival

Khadar Ayderus Ahmed's The Gravedigger's Wife comes to Toronto after screening in Cannes in the Critics' Week competition.

11. – 17.9.2021

online, TIFF Bell Lightbox, Ontario Place

TIFF

Film

In The Gravedigger's Wife (Link to another website.)Finnish Somali director and script writer Khadar Ayderus Ahmed(Link to another website.) goes back to his roots.  It was filmed in Djibouti and it had the audiences dancing to the music when the credits were rolling in the end at the screenings in Cannes.  The Finnish-French-German co-production has already got a distribution deal in Europe.  It will the be the very first Somali language film in European theaters and streaming services. 

Gravedigger Guled's wife Nasra is seriously ill. He tries to earn enough to be able to pay for a critical operation for Nasra.  He waits for other people to die so that his wife could avoid death. He also struggles to connect with their teenage son, feeling he is failing both his wife and son.  

Canadian supermodel Yasmin Warsame(Link to another website.) plays Nasra.  Director Khadar Ahmed had spotted her on a billboard in Helsinki while casting and decided on the spot that she would be perfect for the role.  Happily she jumped at the chance to be part of the project.

 Khadar Ayderus Ahmed interview at Cannes(Link to another website.)

Trailer(Link to another website.)

Screendaily review(Link to another website.)

More information and tickets at the festival web site(Link to another website.)

Screenings online, available anywhere in Canada Saturday September 11, and Friday September 17.  In-person screenings Tuesday September 14 at  TIFF Bell Lightbox(Link to another website.) and Thursday September 16 at Ontario Place West Island(Link to another website.)