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GOODBYE JULIA takes home Cannes' Un Certain Regard's Freedom Prize
28 May 2023
Mohamed Kordofani’s Sudanese drama GOODBYE JULIA took home the 76th Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard Freedom Prize in an awards ceremony held on Friday, May 26th.
The Un Certain Regard, which was founded in 1978 by former Cannes delegate general Gilles Jacob, presents 20 films by new directors.
Upon accepting the award, Kordofani expressed his humility and gratitude towards the audience for their positive response to GOODBY JULIA.
“This movie was a product of hard work, passion, and commitment to telling a compelling story from an already divided country that has now been plunged into conflict once more. We initially made this film with the idea of fostering dialogue and reconciliation between North and South Sudan. Now, given current events, I see that perhaps it was made to be a timeless reminder that peace and an understanding of the other are necessary to preserve what remains of a fractured nation,” he said.
GOODBYE JULIA follows the story of Mona — a northern Sudanese retired singer in a tense marriage — who is wracked by guilt after covering up a murder. In an attempt to make amends, she takes in the deceased’s southern Sudanese widow, Julia, and her son, Daniel, into her home.
Unable to confess her transgressions to Julia, Mona decides to leave the past behind and adjust to a new status quo, unaware that the country’s turmoil may find its way into her home and put her face to face with her sins.
GOODBYE JULIA stars Eiman Yousif, Siran Riak — the former Ms. South Sudan — Nazar Goma, and Ger Duany; is written and directed by Kordofani; and produced by Station Films’ acclaimed Sudanese filmmaker Amjad Abu Alala — the director of Sudan’s first-ever submission to the Academy Awards YOU WILL DIE AT TWENTY — in collaboration with producer Mohamed Al-Omda, who co-produced Yemen’s Berlin International Film Festival selection THE BURDENED.
A true example of Arab-European collaboration, the film is also co-produced by Baho Bakhsh and Safei Eldin Mahmoud (Red Star Films), Michael Henrichs (Die Gesellschaft), Khaled Awad and Mohamed Kordofani (Klozium Studios), Marc Irmer (Dolce Vita), Faisal Baltyuor (Cinewaves Films), Ali El-Arabi (Ambient Light), Adham El-Sherif (CULT), and Issraa Elkogali Häggström (RiverFlower).
Additionally, MAD Solutions is handling the Un Certain Regard contender’s worldwide sales, while the French distributor ARP Sélection - Le Cinéma que J'aime is handling distribution in France.
ARP Sélection is known for various prominent films, such as EO — which premiered at Cannes and won the Jury Prize — Oscar-winning movie THE WHALE, NOSTALGIA, BRIGHTON 4TH, and BEAU IS AFRAID.
Commenting on the auspicious milestone, Co-Founders of MAD Solutions Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab expressed their joy that the film was recognized with such a prestigious award.
“This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in making the film, from the cast to the crew, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the positive response it has received,” they said. “Winning this award is not only an honor but also a validation of the film's artistic merit, contribution to the field of cinema, and relevance to the current global landscape.”
Meanwhile, the movie’s renowned producer Amjad Abu Alala said: “I am delighted to have been part of such a successful project that embodies a nation's struggles and aspirations. I hope this film continues to make the rounds and tell the world Sudan’s story. Perhaps this humble project could push the first domino towards national reconciliation and peace.”
Previously, GOODBYE JULIA won MAD Solutions’ Grant Award at the CineGouna SpringBoard that was held at the fourth El Gouna Film Festival, Best Film Project in the Development Phase ($15,000), a certificate from the El Gouna Cinema Platform, a Mentorship Prize from the IEFTA, and the New Century Prize ($10,000).
It also won the Malmö Arab Film Festival’s award for Best Project In Development and received financial support from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Fund, the Paris Region, ARRI, and Film und Medienstiftung NRW.
Kordofani is a Sudanese filmmaker whose short film NYERKUK won the Black Elephant Award for Best Sudanese Film, NAAS Award for Best Arab Film at the Carthage Film Festival, Jury Award at the Oran International Arab Film Festival, and Arnone-Belavite Pellegrini Award at the FCAAA in Milan.
His second short KEJERS PRISON was screened during the Sudanese revolution at the sit-in square in front of thousands of protesters, and his documentary A TOUR IN LOVE REPUBLIC was the first pro-revolution film to be broadcasted on Sudan's national TV.
His last film was THIS IS SUDAN, which was commissioned by Sudan’s former prime minister Abdallah Hamdok to promote Sudan's potential for investment.
The Un Certain Regard, which was founded in 1978 by former Cannes delegate general Gilles Jacob, presents 20 films by new directors.
Upon accepting the award, Kordofani expressed his humility and gratitude towards the audience for their positive response to GOODBY JULIA.
“This movie was a product of hard work, passion, and commitment to telling a compelling story from an already divided country that has now been plunged into conflict once more. We initially made this film with the idea of fostering dialogue and reconciliation between North and South Sudan. Now, given current events, I see that perhaps it was made to be a timeless reminder that peace and an understanding of the other are necessary to preserve what remains of a fractured nation,” he said.
GOODBYE JULIA follows the story of Mona — a northern Sudanese retired singer in a tense marriage — who is wracked by guilt after covering up a murder. In an attempt to make amends, she takes in the deceased’s southern Sudanese widow, Julia, and her son, Daniel, into her home.
Unable to confess her transgressions to Julia, Mona decides to leave the past behind and adjust to a new status quo, unaware that the country’s turmoil may find its way into her home and put her face to face with her sins.
GOODBYE JULIA stars Eiman Yousif, Siran Riak — the former Ms. South Sudan — Nazar Goma, and Ger Duany; is written and directed by Kordofani; and produced by Station Films’ acclaimed Sudanese filmmaker Amjad Abu Alala — the director of Sudan’s first-ever submission to the Academy Awards YOU WILL DIE AT TWENTY — in collaboration with producer Mohamed Al-Omda, who co-produced Yemen’s Berlin International Film Festival selection THE BURDENED.
A true example of Arab-European collaboration, the film is also co-produced by Baho Bakhsh and Safei Eldin Mahmoud (Red Star Films), Michael Henrichs (Die Gesellschaft), Khaled Awad and Mohamed Kordofani (Klozium Studios), Marc Irmer (Dolce Vita), Faisal Baltyuor (Cinewaves Films), Ali El-Arabi (Ambient Light), Adham El-Sherif (CULT), and Issraa Elkogali Häggström (RiverFlower).
Additionally, MAD Solutions is handling the Un Certain Regard contender’s worldwide sales, while the French distributor ARP Sélection - Le Cinéma que J'aime is handling distribution in France.
ARP Sélection is known for various prominent films, such as EO — which premiered at Cannes and won the Jury Prize — Oscar-winning movie THE WHALE, NOSTALGIA, BRIGHTON 4TH, and BEAU IS AFRAID.
Commenting on the auspicious milestone, Co-Founders of MAD Solutions Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab expressed their joy that the film was recognized with such a prestigious award.
“This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in making the film, from the cast to the crew, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the positive response it has received,” they said. “Winning this award is not only an honor but also a validation of the film's artistic merit, contribution to the field of cinema, and relevance to the current global landscape.”
Meanwhile, the movie’s renowned producer Amjad Abu Alala said: “I am delighted to have been part of such a successful project that embodies a nation's struggles and aspirations. I hope this film continues to make the rounds and tell the world Sudan’s story. Perhaps this humble project could push the first domino towards national reconciliation and peace.”
Previously, GOODBYE JULIA won MAD Solutions’ Grant Award at the CineGouna SpringBoard that was held at the fourth El Gouna Film Festival, Best Film Project in the Development Phase ($15,000), a certificate from the El Gouna Cinema Platform, a Mentorship Prize from the IEFTA, and the New Century Prize ($10,000).
It also won the Malmö Arab Film Festival’s award for Best Project In Development and received financial support from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Fund, the Paris Region, ARRI, and Film und Medienstiftung NRW.
Kordofani is a Sudanese filmmaker whose short film NYERKUK won the Black Elephant Award for Best Sudanese Film, NAAS Award for Best Arab Film at the Carthage Film Festival, Jury Award at the Oran International Arab Film Festival, and Arnone-Belavite Pellegrini Award at the FCAAA in Milan.
His second short KEJERS PRISON was screened during the Sudanese revolution at the sit-in square in front of thousands of protesters, and his documentary A TOUR IN LOVE REPUBLIC was the first pro-revolution film to be broadcasted on Sudan's national TV.
His last film was THIS IS SUDAN, which was commissioned by Sudan’s former prime minister Abdallah Hamdok to promote Sudan's potential for investment.
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