A Sudanese movie, “Goodbye Julia”, has been awarded the Cinema for Humanity Audience award at the annual Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard Freedom Prize held on Friday.
The Cinema for Humanity Audience Award adds to a plethora of awards the movie, directed by talented Sudanese filmmaker, Mohamed Kordofani, has garnered since its debut in May, totalling a whopping 21 awards.
The Cinema for Humanity Award marks the film’s third recognition within a week, following Kordofani’s prestigious honour as Variety Magazine’s MENA Talent of the Year at the festival.
While reacting to the new honour, Kordofani said:
“I am grateful that Goodbye Julia has been awarded the El Gouna Film Festival’s Cinema for Humanity Audience Award. This recognition is a tribute to the film’s creators, who are young individuals deeply connected to the December Revolution and its esteemed principles.”
Kordofani also seized the moment to appeal for a united effort to halt the ongoing violence in the African country, emphasizing the need for assistance to the Sudanese people facing unimaginable difficulties.
“The Sudanese people do not deserve the terrible difficulties they are experiencing, and they have the resilience to rebuild their homeland once the damage stops, as I did with my film.
“In the name of humanity, I implore you not to overlook what is occurring in Sudan and Gaza, and instead join us in asking for freedom, peace, and justice.
“I am grateful that Goodbye Julia has been awarded the Cinema for Humanity Audience Award.
“This recognition is a tribute to the film’s creators, who are young individuals deeply connected to the December Revolution and its esteemed principles”, he said.
A synopsis of the “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.