The fated story of the bond between two women, and of redemption for a transgression committed years before, is set in relatively recent troubled times, when the inhabitants of South Sudan fought for regional autonomy from the ruling Arab North. After her husband’s tragic death, young Julia and her little son Daniel end up on the streets, until the abandoned pair are taken in by Mona, a well-to-do former singer. The maid and half-orphan are gradually accepted as members of the family, while Mona and Julia become inseparable confidantes. Even a shocking event from the distant past, which only one of them knows about, seems to have been completely forgotten. At Cannes this year Goodbye Julia grabbed the attention of both the audience and the Un Certain Regard jury, which presented this stirring drama with one of its awards.