What does “home” mean to you? Is it a place, or is it a feeling? Sudanese filmmaker Eiman Mirghani searches for meaning in her personal short film, Villa 187. Using voice notes and family archival material from childhood to the present day, Eiman constructs a visual tapestry of memories.

Embracing the Warm Wave of Nostalgia

“Nothing stays forever,” Eiman’s father says in a voice note. His delivery is rather blunt, but honest. Its impact is bittersweet, as it comes on the heels of his job loss and subsequent dislodgement from their home. Eiman and her family, who called the quaint villa in Qatar home for over three decades, are now faced with an uncertain reality. As Eiman packs up her life, she rummages through old photos and VHS tapes of family gatherings and events. A flood of memories rushes in; the nostalgia is a warm and welcome feeling. However, anxiety about the future is looming. Through candid voice notes, Eiman’s father does his best to reassure her that everything will be okay. But reading between the lines, it sounds like he is trying to reassure himself, too.

Director’s Statement

“The day I learned our family visa was canceled, my brain spun with questions I’d never really sat with before. Questions about duty, identity, and what makes a place more than just four walls. My dad losing his job was the spark, but the fire was realizing I didn’t know how to define “home.” That’s why I picked up the camera: to catch this strange mix of grief, nostalgia, and curiosity before it slipped away. It’s been a while since that day, but the urge to share this canon moment hasn’t left me. I know I’m not the only one who’s had to pack up their life in a box and wonder where they belong.” -Eiman Mirghani, director

Takeaway

Running eight minutes long, Villa 187 is a beautiful portrait of self-reflection. Its message of embracing life’s in-between moments is a universal one, and its delivery is deeply impactful. Villa 187 made its International Premiere at the San Francisco International Film Festival.