‘The Gravedigger’s Wife’ Director Prepping ‘Cross-Genre’ Love Story About a Middle-Aged Somali Hitwoman Out for Vengeance (Exclusive)

Finnish Somali filmmaker Khadar Ayderus Ahmed, whose debut feature “The Gravedigger’s Wife” premiered at Cannes’ Critics’ Week in 2021, is developing his follow-up, “Thundering Smoke,” which follows a middle-aged Somali hitwoman who returns to her village to seek vengeance against a ruthless crime boss.

Ahmed will be presenting the project at Finnish Film Affair, an annual industry event running parallel to the Helsinki Intl. Film Festival – Love & Anarchy, which takes place Sept. 24 – 26.

“Thundering Smoke” is set in a Somali village where Barni, a mysterious hitwoman in her fifties, dramatically resurfaces years after vanishing without a trace. There she is intent on getting revenge on a vicious gangster, Ardo, who rules the village with an iron fist.

One fateful night, a young bus conductor witnesses a deadly sword fight between Barni and members of Ardo’s murderous gang. Driven by an insatiable curiosity about the mysterious older woman, he sets out…