North to Paradise
| North to Paradise | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Catalan | Viatge al país dels blancs |
| Directed by | Dani Sancho |
| Written by | Guillem Clua |
| Based on | Viaje al país de los blancos by Ousman Umar |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Edited by | David Gallart |
| Music by | Laetitia Pansanel-Garric |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | A Contracorriente Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 110 minutes |
| Countries |
|
| Languages |
|
North to Paradise[1] (Catalan: Viatge al país dels blancs) is a 2026 biographical drama film directed by Dani Sancho and written by Guillem Clua. It is based on the autobiography by Ousman Umar, who also stars along with Emma Vilarasau and Benjamin Kakraba.
Plot
The plot follows the story of a young Ghanaian who leaves his hometown and starts off a new life in Barcelona.
Cast
- Benjamin Kakraba as Ousman (young)[2]
- Ousman Umar as himself
- Emma Vilarasau as Montse[3]
- Jordi Bosch as Armando[3]
Production
Based on the autobiographical book by Ousman Umar,[4] the film is a Spanish-French co-production by Atresmedia Cine, Mundo Cero Crea, Mundo Cero AIE, A Contracorriente Films, Arcadia Motion Pictures, and Noodles Production, with the participation of Atresmedia and financial backing from ICAA and ICEC.[5]
Release
The film was presented on 8 March 2026 at the 29th Málaga Film Festival.[6] It was also selected as the opening film of the 10th BCN Film Fest.[4] Distributed by A Contracorriente Films, it was released theatrically in Spain on 26 June 2026.
Reception
Toni Vall of Cinemanía rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, welcoming a well-told story with just the right amount of fuss.[7]
Oti Rodríguez Marchante of ABC gave the film a 3-star rating, assessing that the best and most moving sequences are those involving Vilarasau.[3]
Paco Peris of Públic deemed the film to be a "solid story, very efficient from a emotional standpoint", as well as capable of "maintaining the tension throughout and constantly engaging the viewer".[8]
See also
References
- ↑ "North to Paradise". Latido Films. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ Gómez, Nel (28 June 2026). "La película inspirada en hechos reales sobre un niño que atravesó más de 20.000 kilómetros para llegar a España: "Pasé mi primera noche en una cama llorando"". Infobae.
- 1 2 3 Rodríguez Marchante, Oti (25 June 2026). "Crítica de 'Viaje al país de los blancos' (***): Entre lo malo del viaje y lo bueno de la acogida". ABC (in European Spanish). Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 Luengo, Rubén (16 April 2026). "El Barcelona Film Festival reivindica su protagonismo en el ecosistema cinematográfico en su décimo aniversario". rtve.es.
- ↑ "Se rueda 'Viaje al país de los blancos', primer largo de Dani Sancho, escrito por Guillem Clua". Audivisual451. 3 June 2025.
- ↑ Cárceles, Fran (9 March 2026). "«Viaje al país de los blancos», una reflexión sobre la culpa y la superación desde el «yo inmigrante»". La Razón (in European Spanish). Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- ↑ Vall, Toni (24 June 2026). "Crítica de 'Viaje al país de los blancos': una historia bien contada con los justos aspavientos". Cinemanía (in European Spanish). Retrieved 5 July 2026 – via 20minutos.es.
- ↑ Peris, Paco (25 June 2026). "'Viatge al país dels blancs', entre l'horror i l'esperança". Públic (in Catalan). Retrieved 5 July 2026.
External links
- North to Paradise at ICAA's Catálogo de Cinespañol