The stories that we share reflect our culture.

And in our multicultural world, the more we travel, the more we see how similar our struggles and ambitions truly are. Closer to home, we celebrate not just the communities that live here in Dublin, but also the many wonderful stories that make up the richness of experience in our world. And in sharing these films from across the globe, we participate in them and let ourselves be shaped by them.

Here are just five picks from the great selection of World Cinema that we have for you this year which showcase inspiring, funny and evocative stories from every corner of the globe.

Let's start off in Asia:

1. Escape From Mogadishu

Country: South Korea

Film Summary: As the civil war rages in 1991 Somalia, diplomats from North and South Korea are among those caught up in the carnage and chaos. With their lives in jeopardy and no government assistance available, their best chance of survival means they must work with their most bitter adversaries to escape. Based on true accounts, their extraordinary story is told with a blend of action, drama and humour.

When: Sun, Feb 27th, 10:30 AM at the Light House Cinema

Buy your tickets here.

2. Casablanca Beats

Country: Morocco

Film Summary: Shortlisted for the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes, Casablanca Beats revolves around a group of youngsters in the Moroccan city as they aim to find their voices through hip-hop and dance. Set in a music school in the notorious district of Sidi Moumen, the film depicts the power of self-expression and self-determination through music. Variety described it as “a rallying cry for any youth activism group, anywhere in the world.

When: Thu, Feb 24th, 6:00 PM at Cineworld 

Book your tickets Now.

Supported by the Embassy of France in Ireland

3. Good Madam

Country: South Africa

Film Summary: Forced to move in with her estranged mother, single mum Tsidi wants to heal ongoing strife within her family. But there are messy complications - mother Mavis is a live-in domestic worker tasked with, and fixated on, caring for a catatonic white woman. A blend of horror and supernatural thriller, Good Madam cleverly uses genre to address how past racial suffering can resonate with and haunt those affected generations later. 

When: Fri, Mar 4th, 10:45pm at the Light House Cinema

Tickets: On sale here.

4. Hit the Road

Country: Iran

Film Summary: An Iranian family goes on a remarkable road trip to better their lives in Panah Panahi’s critically acclaimed first feature. The loving young family are on a journey but to where, and why? A deft sleight of hand is maintained throughout this story, where the characters bring the audience along for the ride. It’s a road movie that breathes fresh life into the genre, and has won several awards including best film at London Film Festival.

When: Sat, Mar 5th, 3:30 PM at the Light House Cinema

Tickets: On sale here in person and online

5. Le Prince

Country: Germany

Film Summary: Frankfurt-based art curator Monika gets caught up in a raid near a train station - and finds her life changed - in filmmaker Lisa Bierwirth’s feature drama. During the chaos, she meets a Congolese diamond dealer and the two embark on a passionate love affair. Ostensibly they could not be more unalike, but Bierwith’s tender romance finds truths in detail as the two navigate their unexpected relationship in what Variety called “an absorbing class and culture-clash mid-life romance.”

When: Mon, Feb 28th, 4:00 PM at Light House Cinema

Tickets: Book Tickets here