Goodbye Julia

Movie about a woman or two women.

Within the canvas of Sudan's societal divide between Arab-dominated North and black Sudanese, this film encapsulates the intricacies of conflict, rooted in racism, religion, and politics. It revolves around the struggles faced by one or two women, shedding light on poverty, parenting challenges, and the lack of intimacy in marriage. These issues are interwoven with the repercussions of a couple of well-intentioned lies.

Throughout the narrative, the women in this tale are not truly comprehended by the men who claim to love them. Even the children fail to grasp their emotional plight, evoking a sense of helplessness among the audience.

The narrative delves deep into the human condition, inviting reflection on pressing global issues often overlooked by mainstream media. Set against the backdrop of 2005 and 2010, the film meticulously crafts its era, portraying an authentic representation of culture, language, and technology. The art direction, including vehicles, gadgets, fashion, and language subtitled for the audience, is commendable.

Having watched it at IFFK 2023, the International Film Festival of Kerala, this movie is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the intricacies of humanity in the face of societal turmoil.

Basically, the film talked about racism and problems in Sudan, the secession of the South, and so on.

Then the film talked about the human psyche and lying, and how it can lead to greater calamities, even if the intention is honorable. It also showed the relationship between couples and how it can be ruined by distrust and lies.

The film was shoot in Khartoum before the war, and it's really amazing and terrifying how the film predicted the war in Sudan today. In addition, the film showed the relation between the north and south at that period (2005-2011).

Sound mixing was unexpected, it was really great. Not to mention the songs that touch all Sudanese hearts. And the directing was masterclass.

At the end of the movie, everyone in the cinema theater was clapping for the movie.

Overall, every sudani should watch this masterpiece, and everyone should too.

This movie truly ranks among the finest I've seen. It unflinchingly explores the darker aspects of our world, unraveling the consequences of racism on seemingly regular people. Drawing parallels to the 2006 Oscar winner "Crash," it manages to maintain an air of mystery without revealing too much in the trailer.

The cinematography in this film is a visual feast, capturing the essence of each scene with striking precision. The acting performances are nothing short of superb, with the cast delivering powerful portrayals that breathe life into the characters. The dialogues are not just words; they are a captivating force that keeps you hooked, contributing significantly to the film's overall allure. The combination of excellent cinematography, stellar acting, and engaging dialogue elevates this movie to a cinematic masterpiece, deserving of its high rating.

I recommend approaching it with a fresh perspective, and I've given it a well-deserved 9-star rating for its engaging storytelling and exploration of a lesser-known territory.

A very beautiful movie, the movie surpassed itself in terms of direction, story, soundtrack, and even direction and acting were superb. The movie spoke with great honesty about the Sudanese reality. And a wonderful cast, I praise the actor Nizar Jumaa for his wonderful acting and his embodiment of the role in a beautiful way. The movie depicted for us a beautiful era and a smooth series of events without feeling bored and an acceptable ending. But there were some scenes that they were not successful in, or that in my opinion these scenes were not necessary and had no important message in the movie. In addition to the final song, which could have been chosen better, but this does not detract from the beauty of the movie and a story worth watching. I hope to see more works from the director and the actors, especially the actor Nizar Jumaa and a big praise for him. My rating for the movie is 8.8.

This movie features a simple premise that manages to capture the nuance of a very complex reality. It is always difficult for movies to navigate the politics and dynamics of expressing civil war and secession struggles, made usually harder by the different layers of conflict and diplomatic dimensions. I think the movie escapes this reductionism by constantly playing devil's advocate and showing the other side of whatever question is being posed. From a story telling perspective, this movie was able to hold my attention quite firmly given how much of a slow burn drama it actually is. The very fast pace and action at the start of the movie hypes you up but you remain on edge even after the pace slows down, due to the dramatic tension.

The music really adds to the experience of the movie and is well integrated rather than feeling like an add-on. The actors are all brilliant and add a level of realism to the otherwise surreal drama going on. The cinematography and lighting add an element of nostalgia and a somber tone that creates an aged and warm aesthetic.

Overall, a great movie that is worth checking out.