Director of the first Sudanese film at Cannes: As I walk on the red carpet, people flee from bullets

Mohammed Kordofani. Reuters

The experience of participating in the Cannes Film Festival is a wonderful yet painful event for Mohamed Kordofani, the director of the first Sudanese film to participate in the festival, but the participation comes amid a conflict in his country that has displaced nearly 1.1 million people from their homes.

The director told Reuters: "It's a great honour for me and I'm thrilled that the film has arrived at Cannes, it's a great reward for all the crew and actors, and I'm one of them."

"But at the same time, I feel sad ... I walk on the red carpet while people flee from bullets and shelling."

His film "Goodbye Julia", which premiered on Saturday, highlights the impact of South Sudan's secession from Sudan in 2011 on people's lives by focusing on two women, Mona and Julia. Their roles are played by actress and theatre singer Iman Youssef and model Siran Riak.

Mona, a retired singer from Sudan, tries to cleanse herself of her guilt after covering up a murder by taking Julia, the victim's widow, a South Sudanese national, and her son home. Unable to confess, she decided to leave the past behind.

According to the World Health Organization, clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have killed some 705 people and injured at least 5287,<>.

Kordofani expressed hope that Sudan would find its path to peace and reconciliation in the future.

"I hope that we can form a new national identity that is proud of the values that unite people such as freedom, such as justice, such as coexistence."