Dammi (2023)

Well, here we are again. Another Monday can only mean one thing, it’s time for Mubi Monday! This week we turn to a recent Mubi addition that was added just a few days ago. I’m talking about the short film titled…Dammi (2023).

Title: Dammi

Director: Yann Demange

Released: August 2, 2023 (Locarno Film Festival)

Runtime: 18 minutes

Available to stream: Exclusively on Mubi

Mounir (Riz Ahmed) is an Algerian living in London. He doesn’t quite feel like he belongs, so he sets off to Paris to try and find himself and his roots. While in Paris, Mounir searches for his missing pieces and we, as the viewer, are along for the ride.

We learn that his father worked at bars after coming over from Algier and that the locals gave him the name of Joe and he just rolled with it. Meanwhile, Mounir’s mother, took Mounir to London to live when he was just two years old. London is where he grew up, with a different name and learning only the English language.

As we flow through memories and encounters with Mounir, we see that he desperately is trying to connect to his Arab roots. Mounir’s attempts begin with trying to reconnect with his father, as well as meeting and connecting with a local woman by the name of Hafzia (Souheila Yacoub). However, having never learned French, or even the Arab language, he feels that no matter what, he will always be on the outside looking in. This belief is enforced through images of him being underwater and attempting to get his father’s attention, only to be ignored as-if he isn’t even there.

Why will his mother refuse to come back to Paris?

Will connecting with his roots help Mounir to better connect with his father?

These are just a few of the questions that ‎Yann Demange seeks to explore with Dammi (2023). Demange attempts to show us just how easy it can be to feel disconnected from our identity and who we are.

For the most part, he is successful in this venture. Yes, there is a sort of vagueness overshadowing it all. Which piece of his missing puzzle is the most important? Are they all equally as important? Better yet, despite one’s best efforts, can you ever feel as if you truly belong?

So, if you’ve seen it, what are your thoughts on Dammi (2023)?

Tell me all about it in the comments below or by reaching out on social media!

As always, if you are curious to see what else I’ve been watching, give me a follow over on Letterboxd.