By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Amjad Abu Alala
Starring: Bonna Khalid | Islam Mubarak | Moatasem Rashed | Mustafa Shehata | Talal Afifi
Country: egypt, france, germany, norway, qatar, sudan
Year: 2021
Running time: 103
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9686154/reference
Michael says: “This audacious debut film, the first Oscar entry from Sudan, is a fable of sorts, about a young man trapped by his destiny. When Sakina present her newborn infant to the Sheikh to be named, he informs her that he will die when he turns twenty. After overcoming the shock and grief of a life that is destined to be cut short, and dealing with a husband who takes off after hearing the news, saying he will return in a few months only to show up nearly twenty years later, Sakima raises her only child, Muzamil under a hawk-like watchful eye. The entire village knows Muzamil’s destiny, as does he, and he endures being kept home from school by his mother for safety, despite her complete belief in the prophecy, and being teased by the other boys who call him the ‘son of death.’ Along the way, Muzamil befriends the girl next door, Naima, and as they grows through adolescence into young adulthood they acknowledge their love for one another, but despite her urgings, Muzamil sees no future for the two of them and does not allow himself to get involved. It’s not until he begins working \for the village shopkeeper, delivering bootleg alcohol to Sulaiman, a cynical man returned after years abroad who’s shacking up with wise prostitute Set Alnesea. It’s a bit cliche, I suppose, that Muzamil must learn about life as he nears the time of his death from a rogue outcast who shares his bed with a prostitute. Still the simple lesson, or taking advantage of your life because you never know how long you have is well taken, and nicely, if somewhat sadly rendered.
“Writer/director Amjad Abu All creates a beautiful first film, for sure, with an assured directorial hand, even if his screenplay has a few bumps. The eastern Sudan locale is stunning, caught between the lush blue of the Nile and the harsh white of the desert. The performances are strong, particularly Islam Mubarak as the fiercely proud Sakima, and Amal Mustafa in small role as Set Alnesea. The two women couldn’t be more different, yet there’s something that resonates between their characters, even though they never meet. Mustafa Shehata, the young actor who plays Muzamil as a teen captures the resignation and the growing, slow-burn of longing for more well, and Bonna Khalid brings energy and verve to Naima. Despite a few awkward hits, YOU WILL DIE AT TWENTY brings us into a culture not often shows on screen, and does so with respect and generosity. 3 1/2 cats“