As a seasoned movie critic who has traversed the globe, delving into the heart of countless cinematic masterpieces, I must say that “Madaniya” by Mohamed Subahi stands out as a unique and poignant documentary. Subahi’s ability to capture the raw, unfiltered essence of the Sudanese uprising through ordinary people is nothing short of brilliant.
Mohamed Subahi’s documentary “Madaniya” portrays the events that sparked the downfall of Omar Al-Bashir’s 30-year reign in Sudan, a revolution that is narrated from the viewpoints of individuals involved in a sit-in demonstration held at the Army’s Central Command headquarters in Khartoum.
When I select my characters, I prefer to portray them as everyday folks, much like individuals you’d encounter on a typical street,” I explain to EbMaster. “They aren’t politicians; instead, they hail from various neighborhoods and backgrounds. Despite their differences, they share the same aspirations and demands—the desire for freedom. They might argue about the methods of revolution, but ultimately, they all yearn for liberty.
In Sudan, you’ll find individuals like Esra, a budding artist who’s currently working on a mural; Mou’men, a skilled leather worker who incorporates portraits of fallen struggle heroes into his craft; and Django, a bus driver, father, and caretaker to young ones. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they’ve all found common ground in the fight for a clear, civilian government. “Sudan is known for its rich diversity,” Subahi explains. “I aim to capture this vibrancy and present it truthfully. Unfortunately, Sudan is often underrepresented or misrepresented in international media, so we chose to document this accurately.
Accompanying explanatory captions detailing the power dynamics between government officials and military leaders from 2018-2019, footage of Bashir’s ousting in April and the deadly June protests that claimed more than a hundred lives, as well as broadcasts by the government and army, are presented.
But even amidst this politics, there are moments of quietness. The protesters pause for Friday prayers at the sit-in.
Michael Youssef, editor of such films as “Cactus Flower” (2017) and “The Forgotten Homeland” (2022), explains: “Including that particular scene was crucial. We aim to convey, despite the fact that the previous administration was Islamic, Muslims are not inherently evil or terrorists. It’s a significant aspect of our culture. The people in Sudan are incredibly kind and appreciate art, music, and song. They yearn for social justice.” Subahi further notes: “On Fridays, Christians would often join the Muslims during prayers to shield them from the sun.
At the street, Subahi was alongside his fellow cinematographer Algaddal Hassan. “Often I employ the camera,” he said, “but out here on the streets, using it could be risky since the army might notice. So we resort to mobile phones for filming, or even have the characters use their phones to film.
The crisis reached its peak during the June Massacre, where more than a hundred protesters lost their lives after the military opened fire on the crowd. This devastating event was vividly documented. Due to escalating dangers, Subahi found it necessary to flee Sudan.
The current war between two rival generals makes the chances of a settlement slim, but Subahi sees himself continuing the film: “We are Sudanese. We have hope. When I meet Sudanese people and talk, we talk about what we are going to do when the war stops. Here in Cairo the Sudanese can’t wait to return to Sudan and rebuild.”
Youssef shares his annoyance that global attention is often centered on specific conflicts while ignoring others. “I was working on a piece about the conflict in Armenia in 2020, but as we were ready to start, the war in Ukraine erupted. I contacted the director and said our project was over. The film festivals will now only screen movies from Ukraine.
Subahi expresses his desire, ‘I wish to put an end to all conflicts.’ Instead of resorting to violence, he intends to employ his films as a platform, urging others to cease hostilities.
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2024-11-22 17:20