You Will Die at Twenty

In Sudan's Al-Jazira, a prophecy haunts Muzamil: he's destined to die at 20. His father, crushed by this fate, deserts the family, leaving Muzamil with his overprotective mother, Sakina. As he grows, the village's coldness and his mother's restrictions shape his isolated world. Facing impending doom, Muzamil meets Sulaiman, an outcast who defies societal norms, igniting a spark of rebellion in him. Director Amjad Abu Alala's debut, Sudan's Oscar submission, poignantly narrates a journey of self-discovery and challenging fate. The film intertwines Muzamil's personal struggle with the cultural and political landscape of Sudan. Ridiculed and feared, he's a living reminder of the unyielding grip of destiny. As Muzamil approaches 20, his life takes unexpected turns through encounters with Sulaiman and Naima, a girl embodying love and uncertainty. These relationships test the prophecy's power, offering a glimpse into the possibilities beyond predetermined paths. Set against Sudan's revolution, the film reflects a nation's and a young man's awakening. YOU WILL DIE AT 20 is a testament to human resilience, exploring themes of destiny, rebellion, and the transformative power of hope in the face of inevitable fate.

Keywords

  • Award Winning
  • Creatives: Debut Films
  • Forests/Deserts
  • Sooner Exclusives
  • Sooner Exclusives: Stories that Matter
  • Storyline: Sons
  • Africa
  • death
  • family
  • identity
  • mystery
  • parenthood
  • relationship
  • solitude

Actors

  • Mustafa Shehata
  • Islam Mubarak
  • Mahmoud Alsarraj
  • Bunna Khalid
  • Talal Afifi

Director

  • Amjad Abu Alala

Drama


1h 45min


12 FSK

AR


EN

DE

Egypt
France
Germany
Norway
Qatar
Sudan
2020
The prophecy of his death sends Muzamil on a journey of defiance and self-discovery in the midst of cultural and political upheaval.

The prophecy of his death sends Muzamil on a journey of defiance and self-discovery in the midst of cultural and political upheaval.


In Sudan's Al-Jazira, a prophecy haunts Muzamil: he's destined to die at 20. His father, crushed by this fate, deserts the family, leaving Muzamil with his overprotective mother, Sakina. As he grows, the village's coldness and his mother's restrictions shape his isolated world. Facing impending doom, Muzamil meets Sulaiman, an outcast who defies societal norms, igniting a spark of rebellion in him.


Director Amjad Abu Alala's debut, Sudan's Oscar submission, poignantly narrates a journey of self-discovery and challenging fate. The film intertwines Muzamil's personal struggle with the cultural and political landscape of Sudan. Ridiculed and feared, he's a living reminder of the unyielding grip of destiny.


As Muzamil approaches 20, his life takes unexpected turns through encounters with Sulaiman and Naima, a girl embodying love and uncertainty. These relationships test the prophecy's power, offering a glimpse into the possibilities beyond predetermined paths.


Set against Sudan's revolution, the film reflects a nation's and a young man's awakening. YOU WILL DIE AT 20 is a testament to human resilience, exploring themes of destiny, rebellion, and the transformative power of hope in the face of inevitable fate.

Festivals

Cast & Crew