Three AFAC-supported films won multiple awards at the 76th Cannes Film Festival.
The first ever Sudanese film to participate in the Cannes Film Festival, Mohamed Kordofani’s “Goodbye, Julia” (Sudan), won the Freedom Prize. The film follows Mona, a married former singer from the north of Sudan who seeks redemption for causing the death of a southern man by hiring his oblivious wife as her maid.
“Les Meutes”, by Kamal Lazreq (Morrocco), won the Jury Prize. Lazreq takes us on a thrilling journey with Hassan and Issam, a father and a son, who work for the local mob, and get in trouble when they get a new kidnapping assignment. Read more on the film in this interview with the director at Cannes.
Last but not least, "The Mother of All Lies", by Asmae El Moudir (Morrocco), won Best Director under the same section and the Prix de l'Oeil d'Or for Documentary Film. The film starts with Asmae’s asking herself why there is only one photo from her childhood and doubting that the little girl in the photo is even her. To get to the truth, Asmae and her father build a miniature set that recreates their neighborhood. Gradually, the film explores the memories of the entire neighborhood.
These films were the only Arab films participating in the “Un Certain Regard” section of the festival. We congratulate the directors and the film crews on this remarkable achievement.