Across the hall, in the building where I rent my studio, Abdiwahab (Abdi) Ali, a furniture designer and social worker, set up shop. From the moment he discovered I was a filmmaker, he insisted, “Bro, you should make a film about my life.” These words would soon become the opening of this short documentary. As Abdi and I got to know each other better, I realized that despite our differences, we share a creative and humorous kinship. It dawned on me that through our collaboration, a film about his life could address several pressing issues in Dutch society and the challenges of capturing the intricacies of another person’s story. During the making of “Neighbour Abdi,” I went on an unforgettable journey within the walls of Abdi’s and my studios to discover what can happen when you reach out to your neighbor.

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Persons: Abdiwahab, Abdi, Ali, “ Bro, “ Neighbour Abdi, ” Locations: Somalia, Netherlands, Abdi’s