Céline Roustan

Misunderstandings arise when Ibtisam, a youth worker, pays a house visit to Hassan, a young Somali man with an ankle monitor, who claims his innocence in the crime that he is being accused of. With Lifeline, directors Ilhan Abdullahi and Abdi Ibrahim depict a deeply charged situation where both characters engage in a conversation tainted by the biases they have towards one another – all in under ten minutes.

“As First Generation Somali immigrants and refugees, we’ve all navigated the complexities of centering our cultural experiences with our new realities”

“What inspired us to make this film was a deep-rooted commitment to sharing our unique stories and experiences”, Abdullahi and Ibrahim shared with us. While the film is mainly articulated around the exchange between the two protagonists, the opening and closing scenes provide a glimpse into the broader world they inhabit and the community they belong to. The directors also noted that “as First Generation Somali immigrants and refugees, we’ve all navigated the complexities of centering our cultural experiences with our new realities”. This tension is a key layer of the film, which both characters deal with completely differently.

Written by and starring Abdullahi, Lifeline draws directly from her own experience as a settlement youth worker to craft the nuanced situation of the film. There is an undeniable authenticity in both the characters she’s built and their discussion. The dialogue is a particularly poignant aspect of the film, offering a deeper insight – through their reactions to each other’s words – into both their lives, than one would expect. 

The tone of the film also plays into how compelling it is, as there is a humorous element present that perfectly contrasts with the heaviness of their conversation. From the opening scene, Ibtisam’s discomfort in the situation she is about to enter is clear and while that awkwardness initially works to create some degree of comedy, in the end it fosters the perfect space for the audience to grasp the nuances of the conversation. The camera work very much echoes this dynamic, and conveys it visually to the audience. 

Hanad Abdi as Hassan – a young man with an ankle tag who claims his innocence in the crime he’s accused of.

Shot in one day, the directors explained that they “focused on the natural chemistry and friendship between the cast to bring authenticity and tension to the screen”. Abdullahi and Hanad Abdi, who portrays Hassan, play off of one another with a genuine and remarkable depth, skillfully conveying the escalating emotions as their conversation intensifies. Bilal Salad is the light touch of the film, from his impeccable comedic timing to the reassuring touch he brings after the climax. 

Abdullahi and Hanad Abdi, who plays Hassan, deliver performances rich in authenticity and depth, skillfully conveying the escalating emotions as their conversation intensifies. While Bilal Salad adds a lighter touch to the film, his impeccable comedic timing and calming presence offering a sense of relief after the climactic moments.

We are incredibly excited to host the World Premiere of Lifeline on Short of the week – a film that, from a simple premise, builds a whole universe full of complexities with incredibly well fleshed out characters. While also showcasing the triple threat that is Ilhan Abdullahi.