Goodbye Julia
The lives of two women from different sides of Sudan are intertwined after a dramatic event. This is an intense drama about religion, prejudice, gender roles, and war, with the division of Sudan as a backdrop.
A murder that could have been avoided brings poor Julia and her son into the life of Mona, a middle-class woman. Goodbye Julia offers us a glimpse into Sudanese society before the 2011 referendum that led to the independence of South Sudan, but it is, most of all, a beautiful movie about human relations in all forms.
Goodbye Julia touches upon complex themes such as socialization, religion, prejudice, gender, and war through everyday situations and brilliant film work.
Almost at the same time as the feature was applauded at Cannes last year, fighting erupted again in Khartoum. Sudan is severely affected by war and catastrophes and is now considered the country with the most refugees in the world.
«Mohamed Kordofani's well-performed deep cut into Sudan's recent history unfolds like a morality thriller.»
– Variety –
Gunhild Sølvberg
Director
Mohamed Kordofani is an aircraft engineer and film director. He has directed several short films, music videos, and commercial films. Goodbye Julia is Kordofani’s first feature film. Mohamed Kordofani made history with Goodbye Julia when it was featured in Cannes in May 2023 as the first Sudanese movie ever featured during the festival. The movie was the Sudanese Academy Award nominee of 2024.
This film is part of
Original title وداعا جوليا (Wada'an Julia)
Country Sudan, Sweden, Germany, Saudi Arabia, France, Egypt
Year 2023
Director Mohamed Kordofani
Screenplay Mohamed Kordofani
Cinematography Pierre de Villiers
Producer Amjad Abu Alala, Mohammed Alomda
Cast Eiman Yousif, Siran Riak, Nazar Goma, Ger Duany, Issraa Elkogali Häggström
Production Company Station Films
Runtime 2h 1m
Language Arabic
Subtitles English
Genre Drama
Format DCP
Age limit 15
Links IMDb
This film is in competition for the Audience Award.