Issue 12: The Power of Visual Representation and Authentic Storytelling
Discussing the power of authentic storytelling through Dhalinyaro, a film that challenges stereotypes, amplifies voices, and highlights its role in international development & cultural representation.
Over two weeks ago, I attended a movie screening hosted by Professor Safia Aidid, a historian specializing in the Horn of Africa and an assistant professor of history and African studies at the University of Toronto. The event featured a critically acclaimed Djiboutian film, Dhalinyaro, followed by a panel discussion with the movie’s director Lula Ali Ismaïl
I went into it completely blind, aside from a brief description of the film and the poster image, I knew nothing about what I was about to watch. Wanting to fully immerse myself, I decided to attend alone (but ended up making two friends!) . Dhalinyaro, which means young in Somali, is a coming-of-age film that follows the lives of three teenage girls as they prepare for their final exams and contemplate their futures, whether to leave for university in France or study in Djibouti. Notably, it is the first-ever feature film to come out of Djibouti.
This week, I’m diving into the film’s themes, highlighting its significance in showcasing the power of authentic storytelling and the complexities of femininity and socio-economic class in girlhood.
The Film: A Story of Girlhood in Djibouti
Set against the stunning backdrop of Djibouti, Dhalinyaro follows three girls:
Asma, who comes from a poor home,
Deka, from a lower-middle-class background with an absent father, and
Haibo, from an upper-class family, navigating privilege and parental detachment.
As they prepare for university, their lives intertwine through a series of challenges, power dynamics, class divides, friendships, father-daughter relationships, and even the realities of teenage romance and miscarriages.
During the panel discussion, Lula Ali Ismail, the film’s director (and an actress in the movie), emphasized her motivation for making this film: she had never seen her own culture represented on screen, so she decided to create it herself. That authenticity shines through in every detail.
For one, the cast consists of actual teenagers, not 20-something actors pretending to be high school students. Lula even spent time in schools observing how teens behave in real life, which explains why the film feels so natural. None of the actresses had prior acting experience, but you wouldn’t guess that watching them. Their mannerisms, attitudes, and interactions feel effortless and real.
Another standout detail? The film’s wardrobe had no costume designer. Lula simply asked the girls to bring their own clothes, the same ones they’d wear every day. This simple choice adds another layer of realism, reinforcing how effortlessly the film captures real life.
Key Themes and Societal Parallels
Beyond the breathtaking cinematography and the evocative Somali and Djiboutian music woven throughout the film, Dhalinyaro tackles critical social issues that resonate far beyond its setting. These include:
1. Wealth Disparities and Classism
Despite their close bond, the girls’ socio-economic differences become glaringly obvious at Haibo’s birthday party, where Asma and Deka feel out of place among her wealthy friends. Though Haibo is generally aware of her privilege, this moment forces her to navigate the unspoken power imbalance between them.
The film also highlights how economic backgrounds shape ambitions:
Asma sees Paris as an escape, a path to improving her quality of life.
Deka sees it as a way to chase her academic dreams and make her mother proud.
Haibo, on the other hand, views it as an escape from her detached parents and a chance to reunite with her sister.
These differences in motivation add depth to their journeys and reflect the universal reality of how economic circumstances shape aspirations.
2. The Desire for Education
One of the most refreshing aspects of Dhalinyaro is how it portrays education not as an obligation but as a cherished opportunity. The girls genuinely want to succeed, and the film beautifully showcases their dedication through montages of them studying, helping each other, and working toward their university goals.
This depiction of education as empowerment is particularly significant, as it moves beyond narratives of struggle and instead highlights the autonomy young women can have in shaping their futures.
3. The Complexities of Girlhood
The film masterfully explores the intricacies of teenage friendships, first loves, and personal growth. The girls are independent yet impressionable, navigating social pressures while staying true to themselves.
One of the film’s most poignant themes is the father-daughter dynamic, or lack thereof. Deka’s interactions with older men stem from her longing for paternal affection, a heartbreaking reality for many girls who grow up with absent fathers. However, by the end of the film, she begins to rebuild her relationship with her dad, offering a hopeful resolution.
A Celebration, Not a Suffering Narrative
What I loved most about Dhalinyaro is that, despite tackling heavy themes, it never dwells on hardship. Instead, it celebrates the everyday complexities of life, something that is often missing in Western portrayals of African stories, which tend to focus solely on struggle or violence.
This film is a refreshing counter-narrative, showing that people in underrepresented parts of the world have normal lives, with aspirations and experiences that mirror those of people anywhere else. It’s a reminder that African stories don’t have to be told through a lens of suffering to be meaningful.
The Power of Realistic Storytelling & Representation
Visual authenticity in African storytelling is something we desperately need more of. While I enjoy some modern Nigerian films, I find myself increasingly critical of their inauthenticity, especially compared to classic Nollywood movies. So many films today seem tailored for Western validation, rather than focusing on authentic narratives.
This is why films like Dhalinyaro (and another favourite of mine, Lionheart, directed by Genevieve Nnaji) are so powerful. They tell real stories without diluting their truth.
In her famous TED Talk, The Danger of a Single Story, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains how stories shape perceptions. She recalls how her early exposure to literature was dominated by white, Western characters, reinforcing a subconscious idea that African stories weren’t worth telling. Similarly, her first visit to Mexico shattered the false image she had absorbed through American media.
She emphasizes that the danger of a single story is that it creates stereotypes and robs people of their dignity.
Films like Dhalinyaro and Lionheart push back against this. They present multifaceted African narratives that aren’t diluted for Western palatability. They show real lives, real emotions, and real experiences, challenging outdated narratives and broadening global perspectives.
I went into this screening without preconceived notions about Djibouti, and I left with a newfound appreciation for how stories can shape our understanding of places and cultures we’ve never encountered before.
Final Thoughts
Dhalinyaro is more than just a film, it is a testament to the power of storytelling in shaping narratives about Africa. It challenges the stereotypical lens through which African lives are often depicted, offering instead a rich, layered portrait of girlhood, ambition, and identity.
Storytelling plays a crucial role in both international development and cultural representation. It moves issues like class disparity and education access beyond statistics and into the realm of lived experience. It dismantles stereotypes, empowers local creators, and plays a vital role in decolonizing narratives.
As Chimamanda warned, when a single story dominates, it distorts reality. Films like Dhalinyaro prove that African stories are not monolithic, they are vibrant, complex, and deserving of global attention.
Watching this film and participating in the discussion reinforced the importance of visual storytelling in shaping how we see the world. If we truly want to engage with international development, we must prioritize stories told by those who live them.
Thank you… again :)
Thank you for reading this week’s issue and for joining me on this journey throughout Women’s Month.
Every piece I’ve written this March has been centred around women, our stories, our celebrations, and the importance of amplifying our voices. It has been such a joy to dedicate this space to highlighting the power, resilience, and creativity of women across different industries and cultures.
I appreciate you for coming along, engaging in these conversations, and celebrating with me. Here’s to continuing to uplift and honour women’s voices not just in March, but always.
Until next week!
very cool, I wonder when the next screening of this film will be! definitely interested in watching this film now.
I believe it’s on prime video now!