Participating in the Cannes Film Festival is both a wonderful and painful experience for Mohamed Kordofani, the director of the first Sudanese film to participate in the festival. His participation comes amid a conflict that has displaced nearly 1.1 million people from their homes. He told Reuters, "It is a great honor for me, and I feel overwhelmed with happiness that the film has reached Cannes. This is a significant reward for all the crew and actors, of which I am one."
He added, "But at the same time, I feel sad... I am walking on the red carpet while people are fleeing from gunfire and bombing."
His film "Goodbye Julia," which premiered on Saturday, sheds light on the impact of South Sudan's separation from Sudan in 2011 on individuals' lives by focusing on two women: Mona and Julia. The roles are played by actress and theater singer Iman Youssef and model Siran Riak.
Mona, a retired singer from Sudan, seeks to cleanse herself of guilt after covering up a murder by taking Julia, the victim's widow from South Sudan, and her son to her home. Unable to confess, she decides to leave the past behind.
Kordofani expressed hope that Sudan will find its way to peace and reconciliation in the future. He said, "I hope we can create a new national identity that prides itself on values that bring people together, such as freedom, justice, and coexistence."
