Sudanese documentary and short film followed by a Q&A
Since 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a renewed state of war, which has plunged the country into one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time, forcing millions of Sudanese to flee and severely affecting the country's social and cultural landscape. Due to the escalating conflict, the Goethe-Institut in Sudan had to close its presence in Khartoum. It is now coordinating its cultural work from Cairo and continuing it through the Goethe-Institut in exile. With the Film Spotlight Sudan, the Goethe-Institut in Exile presents three Sudanese films from different genres and shows diverse perspectives on life in a country characterised by conflict and resilience.
Each film screening will be followed by a Q&A with Sudanese filmmakers who will provide insights into their work and the challenges of filmmaking in an environment threatened by ongoing conflict.
Documentary: Talking about Trees
Director & screenplay: Suhaib Gasmelbari France/Sudan/Germany/Chad/Qatar, 2019, 93 min, Original version with English subtitles
Ibrahim, Soliman, Manar and Altayeb have been cinephiles and close friends for 45 years, united by their shared idealism and humanity. After spending years in exile, they have reunited to finally pursue their long-held dream of reviving cinema in Sudan, a country shaped by Islamic rule and totalitarianism. Their aim is to leave a lasting impact and rekindle a love for cinema among the people. Through their films, and the images that were lost or remain only as dreams, they capture both the beauty and the haunting realities of their homeland.
Short film: Jamal
Director & screenplay: Ibrahim Shaddad, Sudan, 1981, 14 min
The short film “Jamal” is a report from the life of a camel, most of which plays out in a dreary, small room—a sesame mill. Blindfolded, the camel runs in circles, driven to do so by its owner. For a short while it is allowed to relax in the courtyard before it reluctantly returns to its work in the dark room without any sunlight.
The film programme is a collaboration between Arsenal—Institute for Film and Video Art and the Goethe-Institut in Exile and will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker and funding member of the Sudanese Film Group Ibrahim Shaddad.
Moderation: Stefanie Schulte Strathaus
Guest
Ibrahim Shaddad, born in Halfa, Sudan in 1945, studied at the Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf. He has written and directed many films and some plays. Practically all films and plays in Sudan were discontinued by producers or banned by governments. He is a founding member of the Sudanese Film Group and a member of the editorial board of the magazine Cinema.
