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GOODBYE JULIA still dominating Egyptian box office, gearing up for similar success in GCC
01 July 2024
Mohamed Kordofani's debut Sudanese drama feature GOODBYE JULIA continues to make waves as it forges a path of success in Egypt since its historic October 25th commercial release, recording the highest revenues for an Arab film at the Egyptian box office and amassing over EGP 3m throughout its six-week journey since then.
GOODBYE JULIA has also triumphed over formidable contenders, outperforming blockbusters like Martin Scorcese's KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in the country's cinematic landscape.
As it captivates audiences across Egypt, the anticipation grows for GOODBYE JULIA — which was selected as Sudan's official submission for Best Foreign Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards — upcoming release in the GCC, which is scheduled for Thursday, December 7th in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain before reaching the UAE on December 14th.
The film also recently held a high-profile press screening at Jeddah’s Red Sea Mall's VOX Cinema that glittered with the presence of esteemed A-list celebrities and influential public figures.
As the film unfolded on the silver screen, its undeniable allure swept through the room, leaving an indelible impression on the audience. The consensus was unanimous, and the resounding success of the screening solidified GOODBYE JULIA as an absolute must-see masterpiece.
With its groundbreaking success in Egypt and its imminent release in the Gulf, GOODBYE JULIA is poised to leave its mark on the international film landscape. This Sudanese gem not only showcases the rich talent emerging from the region, but also demonstrates the universal appeal of its storytelling, transcending borders and resonating with audiences worldwide.
Most recently, GOODBYE JULIA won its fifth Audience Award along with a Cineclub Jury Award for Best Film and a Special Mention at the Tarragona International Film Festival. It also won an Audience Award for Best Fiction Feature at the Leeds International Film Festival in the UK, raising its total tally to 17 awards.
Additionally, the widely praised and acclaimed title won an Audience Award at the Mostra De Cinema Arab, the top prize for Best Film at the 2023 Belfast Film Festival's International Competition, an Excellence Award and Best Actress Award at Canada's Muslim International Film Festival, as well as Best Director and Best Leading Actress in a Debut Feature Film at the 18th Cyprus International Film Festival.
It was also recently released in 51 arthouse theaters across France, introducing French cinephiles to a vital new voice in global cinema.
Topping it all off, Lupita Nyong'o — the Academy Award winner for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for 12 YEARS A SLAVE — announced that she has joined the film’s team as the film’s executive producer; and Egyptian critic Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim, who is a member of the 2024 Golden Globe Awards’ Voting Committee, recently revealed that the film has been selected to compete for the Best Non-English Language Film Award ahead of the shortlist’s announcement in December.
GOODBYE JULIA’s other notable accomplishments include winning the Roger Ebert Award at the 59th Chicago International Film Festival and the Best African Film at the Septimius Awards, where it was also in the running for Best African Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Soundtrack.
It was also screened at the BFI London Film Festival and the Horizons Section of the 2023 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it enjoyed widespread popularity and packed screenings after its historic world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Freedom Prize.
The film achieved major critical acclaim and received overwhelmingly positive reviews after its Cannes premiere, with DMovies website praising the movie, saying “GOODBYE JULIA is a 120-minute enrapturing drama thanks to its effective script, blending elements of psychological thriller, melodrama, and music.”
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.
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 broadcast 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.
GOODBYE JULIA has also triumphed over formidable contenders, outperforming blockbusters like Martin Scorcese's KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in the country's cinematic landscape.
As it captivates audiences across Egypt, the anticipation grows for GOODBYE JULIA — which was selected as Sudan's official submission for Best Foreign Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards — upcoming release in the GCC, which is scheduled for Thursday, December 7th in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain before reaching the UAE on December 14th.
The film also recently held a high-profile press screening at Jeddah’s Red Sea Mall's VOX Cinema that glittered with the presence of esteemed A-list celebrities and influential public figures.
As the film unfolded on the silver screen, its undeniable allure swept through the room, leaving an indelible impression on the audience. The consensus was unanimous, and the resounding success of the screening solidified GOODBYE JULIA as an absolute must-see masterpiece.
With its groundbreaking success in Egypt and its imminent release in the Gulf, GOODBYE JULIA is poised to leave its mark on the international film landscape. This Sudanese gem not only showcases the rich talent emerging from the region, but also demonstrates the universal appeal of its storytelling, transcending borders and resonating with audiences worldwide.
Most recently, GOODBYE JULIA won its fifth Audience Award along with a Cineclub Jury Award for Best Film and a Special Mention at the Tarragona International Film Festival. It also won an Audience Award for Best Fiction Feature at the Leeds International Film Festival in the UK, raising its total tally to 17 awards.
Additionally, the widely praised and acclaimed title won an Audience Award at the Mostra De Cinema Arab, the top prize for Best Film at the 2023 Belfast Film Festival's International Competition, an Excellence Award and Best Actress Award at Canada's Muslim International Film Festival, as well as Best Director and Best Leading Actress in a Debut Feature Film at the 18th Cyprus International Film Festival.
It was also recently released in 51 arthouse theaters across France, introducing French cinephiles to a vital new voice in global cinema.
Topping it all off, Lupita Nyong'o — the Academy Award winner for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for 12 YEARS A SLAVE — announced that she has joined the film’s team as the film’s executive producer; and Egyptian critic Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim, who is a member of the 2024 Golden Globe Awards’ Voting Committee, recently revealed that the film has been selected to compete for the Best Non-English Language Film Award ahead of the shortlist’s announcement in December.
GOODBYE JULIA’s other notable accomplishments include winning the Roger Ebert Award at the 59th Chicago International Film Festival and the Best African Film at the Septimius Awards, where it was also in the running for Best African Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Soundtrack.
It was also screened at the BFI London Film Festival and the Horizons Section of the 2023 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it enjoyed widespread popularity and packed screenings after its historic world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Freedom Prize.
The film achieved major critical acclaim and received overwhelmingly positive reviews after its Cannes premiere, with DMovies website praising the movie, saying “GOODBYE JULIA is a 120-minute enrapturing drama thanks to its effective script, blending elements of psychological thriller, melodrama, and music.”
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.
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 broadcast 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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