Friday July 7, 2023
Minneapolis (HOL) - Minneapolis' Main Cinema will debut "The Forgotten Ones: Unveiling the Opioid Effect," a powerful documentary unveiling the hidden narratives of the opioid crisis within the Twin Cities' Somali community. The film is a collaboration between Generation Hope and Aleel Films., Director Mohamed Sheikh, alongside producer and protagonist Abdirahman Warsame, cleverly weaves a tale of survival, empathy, and collective healing, addressing the often-ignored opioid crisis silently eating away at their community.
At the film's beating heart is Warsame, a survivor of opioid addiction who brings an intimate and hard-earned perspective to the crisis. His personal journey, encapsulated in a poem and video, "Survivor's Guilt," depicting his overdose experience, sparked crucial conversations within the Somali community, highlighting the dire need for awareness. With the firm belief that "the opposite of stigma is empathy," Warsame underscores the documentary's primary objective: to stimulate empathic understanding that goes beyond superficial judgments and ingrained but harmful stereotypes.
Drawn to the project by the harsh realities of opioid addiction imprinted on social media, Sheikh has infused the documentary with an earnest desire to educate, inspire, and initiate critical dialogue. The filmmaking journey was filled with challenges, mainly due to the deep-rooted cultural stigma and familial apprehensions surrounding the open discussion of addiction. Sheikh reflects, "It's a touchy, sensitive topic... people don't want to talk about it," underscoring the cultural hurdles the documentary had to navigate.
Despite the societal barriers, the film has crafted a tapestry of narratives, interlacing firsthand accounts from families directly affected by addiction with expert insights from therapists, treatment directors, and recovery advocates. The documentary also explores the historical and traumatic roots of addiction within the Somali community, weaving a broader context that fosters understanding and empathy.
The deeply human film, directed by Mohamed Sheikh (L) and produced by Abdirahman Warsame (R), creates a powerful narrative by exploring the roots of addiction, the stigma surrounding it, and the hope in the recovery process.
In a particularly striking portion of the film, an Imam provides an intriguing perspective, differentiating the individual from their addiction: "The user is still a Muslim...the deed itself is haram in the religion, but the person is different from the sin." This enlightened viewpoint introduces a new dimension to the conversation, embodying the inclusive and comprehensive approach of the documentary.
In a striking sequence, the documentary traces the journey of a young active user, presenting an unfiltered view of addiction's agonizing reality. Yet, the film does not descend into despair, placing a significant focus on recovery. Warsame fervently advocates that "recovery is the most authentic way to live," infusing the narrative with optimism and resilience.
"The Forgotten Ones: Unveiling the Opioid Effect" aims to spotlight the issue and guide the way toward understanding and empathy. As Sheikh articulates, "The only takeaway I'm looking for is for viewers to be sympathetic to those suffering from addiction."
"The Forgotten Ones: Unveiling the Opioid Effect" will be premiering at the Main Cinema, located at 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis, Minnesota, tonight at 7:00 PM CST.
---