Lupita Nyong’o joins as Executive Producer of Goodbye Julia, co-produced by BIMM University Berlin lecturer Michael Henrichs
Co-produced by BIMM University Berlin lecturer, Michael Henrichs, Goodbye Julia (2023, dir. Mohamed Kordofani) is a Cannes award-winning Sudanese drama that has since been submitted as Sudan’s second-ever entry to Oscar competition. Michael also produced Sudan’s previous and first submission, You Will Die at Twenty (2019), directed by Amjad Abu Alala.
Following the film’s success at Cannes – taking home the Freedom Prize in the ‘Un Certain Regard’ section – Oscar-winning actor, Lupita Nyong’o (Black Panther, 12 Years a Slave, The Jungle Book) has now stepped into the film’s Executive Producer role. Lupita will also sit as President of the International Jury for the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale).
Since its premiere at Cannes, the film has featured as part of film festivals across the world, including BFI London Film Festival, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Montreal International Black Film Festival, Warsaw International Film Festival, Filmfest Hamburg and Film Festival Cologne
When asked about the film’s production, success to date and Lupita joining as Executive Producer, Michael said:
“It was great to see the diverse co-production efforts from Sudan, Egypt, Germany, France, Sweden and Saudi Arabia come together to produce Goodbye Julia. My deepest respect to Mohamed Kordofani, Amjad Abu Alala, Mohamed Al-Omda, Khalid Awad and the team for seeing the film’s completion through, despite the outbreak of the new military conflict in Sudan when we were in the middle of post-production.
Seeing the warmth and appreciation with which audiences have received Goodbye Julia, amidst a background of persistent violence in Sudan, has been highly emotional. Thank you, Lupita Nyong’o, for becoming part of the film, lending your support and introducing Goodbye Julia to wider audiences still.”
– Michael Henrichs, co-producer of Goodbye Julia and BIMM University Berlin lecturer: BA (Hons) Filmmaking.
Goodbye Julia synopsis
Set just before the secession of South Sudan in 2011, the film follows the story of Mona, an upper- middle-class former singer from North Sudan, who, one fateful day, becomes involved in a murder. In an effort to combat her guilt, she employs the victim’s wife, Julia, a poor southerner, as her maid.
“Goodbye Julia is an incredibly intimate take on the conflict of the Sudans. [It] focuses on the story of two women born into two very different realities coming together to navigate a world not built for either one of them to thrive in. It offers us a chance to experience with familiarity a part of the world that may not have crossed our way of mind.”
– Lupita Nyong’o, speaking to an audience at the Creative Arts Agency.
On behalf of the team at BIMM University – in Berlin and beyond – we’d like to warmly congratulate Michael, and the cast and crew of Goodbye Julia. We wish the team the best of luck with the Oscar campaign and will be sure to bring more news as we hear it.
Want to make Berlin the place to start your film career?
For any questions about applying or the courses, please contact admissions@bimm-university.de or call us at +49 (0) 30 311 99 186.
