Watch Cinema Dadaab

Cinema Dadaab is a stunning documentary film about the power of film and the role it can play in bringing hope and joy to people living in the most challenging of circumstances. Directed by Dutch filmmaker Koen Suidgeest, the film is set in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya - the world's largest refugee camp - and follows the journey of a group of young refugees who come together to create a cinema in the heart of the camp.

The film explores the lives of these young people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution and poverty. Despite the hardships they face each day, they are determined to create a space where they can forget their struggles for a few hours and enjoy the magic of cinema. They dream of creating a place where they can come together with their fellow refugees and share stories, ideas and laughter.

The film begins with the arrival of Koen Suidgeest in Dadaab, where he is welcomed by a group of young refugees who share with him their vision of creating a cinema. They explain how they have been collecting old projectors and film reels and have managed to build a small makeshift cinema in the camp. Koen is immediately taken aback by their ingenuity and passion, and agrees to help them achieve their dream.

Over the course of the film, we follow the group as they face numerous challenges in their quest to create a functioning cinema. They must find a way to power their projectors, find suitable locations for screenings, and overcome the many bureaucratic hurdles that come with living in a refugee camp. Despite these obstacles, they remain determined to succeed, and their resilience and tenacity is truly inspiring to watch.

One of the most powerful elements of the film is the way in which it showcases the transformative power of cinema. We see how the young people in Dadaab are deeply moved by the films they watch, and how these films give them a sense of hope and connection to the wider world. The cinema becomes a place where they can come together and forget their troubles for a few hours, and it is clear that it has a profound impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

The film also explores the important role that creativity and storytelling can play in helping people to connect with one another. We see how the young people in Dadaab use film to share their own stories and experiences, and how this helps them to build connections with others who have gone through similar struggles. The cinema becomes a place where they can express themselves and be heard, and this has a powerful impact on their sense of identity and belonging.

Cinema Dadaab is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film that raises important questions about the rights of refugees and the role that art and culture can play in promoting social change. It is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the human spirit, and a powerful reminder of the universal power of cinema to bring joy, hope and meaning to people's lives.