Director Dani Sancho has presented his debut feature film, ‘Viaje al país de los blancos’ (Journey to the Land of the White People) in the Official Out of Competition section at the 29th Festival de Málaga. The film is based on the book of the same name written by Ousman Umar, who stars in the film of his own life story.
 
Following the screening, a discussion took place with filmmaker Dani Sancho, protagonist Ousman Umar, as well as Jaime Ortiz de Artiñano, General Manager of Atresmedia Cine, and Ibon Cormenzana, producer of the project.
 
The project is based on the true story of Ousman Umar, a young man from Ghana fascinated since childhood by the idea of ​​Europe, that distant place his community calls "the land of the white people". Driven by the desire for a better future, he decides to leave his village and embark on a long and perilous journey to the European continent. After many difficulties, he arrives in Barcelona, ​​where he discovers that reality is far removed from the dream he had imagined. His life changes when he meets Montse, who takes him into her family and offers him support and affection. Thanks to this opportunity, Ousman not only manages to rebuild his life but also transforms his experience into a greater purpose, determined to give meaning to everything he has lived through and to help others in similar situations.
 
Before an emotional audience after the screening, director Dani Sancho took the opportunity to explain how experiences and stories like Ousman's have influenced his filmmaking, as they must be told.
 
Ousman, for his part, once again moved the audience by speaking candidly about how difficult it was to reprise his past life, emphasising that he is not a professional actor: “Playing myself again was like returning to the skin and eyes of that child I once was, to forgive myself, but above all, to forgive the world that abandoned us”, the protagonist confessed.
 
He also took the opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of having a purpose and not just going through life aimlessly. “Love is the only tool that can help us all improve the world around us”, Ousman stated, while also reminding everyone that “talent has no colour, but opportunity has a postal code”, prompting reflection on the importance of taking responsibility to try to “change a small part of the world”.