Jan 27, 2025, 12:22 PM
Jan 27, 2025, 12:22 PM

Sudanese filmmakers highlight culture amid conflict through groundbreaking documentary

Highlights
  • Khartoum is a documentary that captures the cultural heritage of Sudan amidst ongoing conflict and displacement.
  • The film utilizes archival materials due to safety concerns, with a focus on personal stories of resilience.
  • This groundbreaking film aims to illustrate a rich Sudanese culture that exists beyond the widespread narratives of famine and war.
Story

In Sudan, a new documentary titled Khartoum premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2025. This film, directed by Sudanese filmmakers Anas Saeed, Rawia Alhag, Ibrahim Snoopy, Timeea M Ahmed, and Phil Cox, was created under dire circumstances as it documents the impact of war and displacement on the cultural heritage of Khartoum. The conflict began in April 2023, creating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, which forced many individuals, including the filmmakers, to abandon their homes in pursuit of safety. As they navigated these challenges, their focus shifted from capturing the present conflict to documenting the rich cultural history of Sudan, drawing upon archival materials from the Sudan Memory project at King’s College London. The filmmakers faced significant obstacles, including the inability to film safely in conflict zones. As a solution, they utilized over 300,000 scanned images from Sudan Memory to tell a nuanced story that highlights Sudan’s vibrant culture beyond the ongoing violence. The film features various subjects, including two young boys, Lokain and Wilson, who strive to improve their lives despite significant hardships, and Khadmallah, a tea vendor displaced from Nuba mountains. Moreover, Majdi, a civil servant, continued his work throughout the war, illustrating the resilience of the Sudanese people amid adversity. Dr. Marilyn Deegan, one of the founders of the Sudan Memory project, emphasized the importance of archiving the culture and narratives of Sudan, countering global perceptions that predominantly focus on famine and war. The effort has amassed 43 collections that provide insights into Sudan’s history, ranging from food and football to more sensitive subjects intertwined with the war and displacement. The documentary serves as a testament to the stories that existed before the conflict and emphasizes the need for preservation through the artists’ lens. The collective creative efforts of the filmmakers reveal a deep personal connection to their work, especially in regards to the traumatic experiences faced by children who have been victims of militant groups. Through collaboration with researchers and the use of archival resources, Khartoum emerges as an act of cultural reclamation, showcasing the resilience and depth of Sudanese culture, while addressing the challenges posed by an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

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