Goodbye Solo

Colour, 35 mm
USA, 2008, 91 min
Section: Another View

Synopsis

The film takes place in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Senegalese taxi driver Solo is hired by 70-year-old William for an unusual job. He asks Solo to take him to Blowing Rock mountain in two weeks time. Solo acquiesces in the strange request, and then, unasked, begins looking out for his passenger; he decides to get involved in William’s life and discover what he’s planning. At first he just secretly observes him, but then he introduces William to his girlfriend and stepdaughter, nine-year-old Alex. During the two weeks, a bond is formed between Solo and William which might lead to friendship. Director Bahrani’s main strength is the vividness and immediacy of his movies, something evident here as well. The same holds true for a certain hope which the director never denies his protagonists. The film premiered in the Orizzonti section at last year’s Venice film festival.

About the director

Ramin Bahrani (b. 1975, Winston-Salem, North Carolina) was born in the USA of Iranian immigrants. He graduated from New York’s Columbia University, and then lived in Iran for three years where he shot his graduation film Strangers in 2000. His feature debut came in 2005 with Man Push Cart, which premiered at Venice. Then came Chop Shop (2007), first screened in the Directors’ Fortnight section at Cannes. Both films were presented at the KVIFF. His latest film is Goodbye Solo.