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You Will Die at Twenty

Play trailer Poster for You Will Die at Twenty 2021 1h 43m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
89% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Winner of the Lion of the Future Award for best Debut Feature at the Venice Film Festival, YOU WILL DIE AT TWENTY is visually sumptuous "coming-of-death" fable. During her son's naming ceremony, a Sheikh predicts that Sakina's child will die at the age of 20. Haunted by this prophecy, Sakina becomes overly protective of her son Muzamil, who grows up knowing about his fate. As Muzamil escapes Sakina's ever-watchful eye, he encounters friends, ideas and challenges that make him question his destiny. Sudan's first Oscar submission, YOU WILL DIE AT TWENTY is an auspicious debut and a moving meditation on what it means to live in the present.
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You Will Die at Twenty

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Critics Consensus

A parable perched between fate and self-determination, You Will Die at Twenty is a striking debut for writer-director Amjad Abu Alala.

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Critics Reviews

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Simran Hans Observer (UK) Nov 14, 2021
4/5
Sudanese film-maker Amjad Abu Alala's radiant drama dares to wonder if death could inspire courage rather than fear. Go to Full Review David Jenkins Little White Lies Nov 10, 2021
4/5
Its quiet profundity strikes you hours, days after viewing. Go to Full Review Cath Clarke Guardian Nov 8, 2021
4/5
[A] gentle, affecting Sudanese drama... Go to Full Review Joseph Tomastik Loud and Clear Reviews Oct 3, 2024
4.5/5
You Will Die at Twenty is a quietly stirring, hard-hitting look at a boy’s dour predicted fate, how that affects his life, and how such a prediction can do more damage than an actual early death itself. Go to Full Review Rob Aldam Backseat Mafia Nov 9, 2021
Spins an intelligent and affecting yarn in complex hues. Go to Full Review Joseph Fahim Middle East Eye Jul 2, 2021
Abu Alala's ideas are quite elementary, explored at a surface-level and never wielded into something complex or thought-provoking. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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T M @RT55749265 Sep 6, 2026 Nice to watch a film from a corner of the world not often seen by a western audience. Hypnotically effective, well performed and telling of the harm in blindly believing in superstitions and old traditions. See more Mar 3, 2021 The movie is very well made and shows a side of Sudan and the location of the village of Al-Gezira is rarely seen by outsiders. It portrays the culture and way of life in the remote and isolated Sudanese villages. Beautifully captured panoramic scenes and an intriguing storyline that evokes mixed reactions depending on your beliefs, religious or otherwise. See more Read all reviews
You Will Die at Twenty

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Cast & Crew

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Amjad Abu Alala

Director

Islam Mubarak

Sakina

Mustafa Shehata

Old Muzamil

Moatasem Rashed

Young Muzamil

Bonna Khalid

Old Naiema

Talal Afifi

Alnour

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You Will Die at Twenty

You Will Die at 20 (2019) You Will Die at 20 (2019) You Will Die at 20 (2019) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Winner of the Lion of the Future Award for best Debut Feature at the Venice Film Festival, YOU WILL DIE AT TWENTY is visually sumptuous "coming-of-death" fable. During her son's naming ceremony, a Sheikh predicts that Sakina's child will die at the age of 20. Haunted by this prophecy, Sakina becomes overly protective of her son Muzamil, who grows up knowing about his fate. As Muzamil escapes Sakina's ever-watchful eye, he encounters friends, ideas and challenges that make him question his destiny. Sudan's first Oscar submission, YOU WILL DIE AT TWENTY is an auspicious debut and a moving meditation on what it means to live in the present.
Director
Amjad Abu Alala
Producer
Arnaud Dommerc, Michael Henrichs, Ingrid Lill Høgtun
Screenwriter
Amjad Abu Alala
Distributor
Film Movement
Production Co
DUOfilm, CNC Aide aux cinémas du monde - Institut Français, Film-Clinic, Die Gesellschaft DGS, Sunny Land Film, Andolfi, Duo Films, Doha Film Institute, Canal+ International, Station Films, Transit Films
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Arabic
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 22, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 25, 2021
Runtime
1h 43m
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