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GOODBYE SOLO
A Gigantic Pictures and Noruz Films production in association with Lucky Hat Entertainment. A co-production of The Independent Television Service (ITVS)
International Premiere:Official Selection - In Competition - Venice Film Festival 2008
Awards:WINNER International Critics' Prize, Venice Film Festival
Starring:Souleymane Sy Savane
Red West
Director:Ramin Bahrani
Writers:Bahareh Azimi
Ramin Bahrani
Producers:Jason Orans
Ramin Bahrani
Exec Producers:Brian Devine
Brooke Devine
Stephen Bannatyne
Sally Jo Fifer
International Sales:Memento Films
UK Distributor:Axiom Films
Country: USA
Language: English
Genre: Drama
Year of Production: 2008
Format: 35mm
Running Time: 91 minutes
Certificate: 15
Theatrical Release date: 9th October 2009
DVD Release date: 8th February 2010

Winner of the prestigious FIPRESCI International Critics' Prize at the Venice Film Festival last year, GOODBYE SOLO is the latest film from young, internationally-acclaimed filmmaker Ramin Bahrani (Chop Shop, Man Push Cart), one of the architects of popularly termed American 'neo-neorealism' and recently hailed "the new great American director" by eminent critic Roger Ebert.

Featuring the irresistible pairing of first-time actor Souleymane Sy Savane with former Elvis bodyguard Red West, GOODBYE SOLO is an uplifting exploration of morality at the very heart of a poignant tale of unlikely friendship.

Solo, a Senegalese immigrant driving a taxi in North Carolina, has aspirations of becoming a flight attendant and help provide a better life for his pregnant wife and step-daughter. One night he picks up William, a tough Southern old-timer with a lifetime of regrets. One man's dream is just beginning, while the other's is quickly winding down. But despite their differences, both men soon realize they need each other more than either is willing to admit.

Through this unforgettable friendship, GOODBYE SOLO skillfully explores the passing of a generation as well as the rapidly changing face of the world in which we live.
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GOODBYE SOLO
**NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD**

WINNER International Critics' Prize - Venice Film Festival

"Bahrani is the great new American director"
Roger Ebert, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

"hypnotic... mesmerising" 5 STARS
FINANCIAL TIMES

"an instantly gripping, funny, quietly persuasive drama that held me from the first frames." 4 STARS
Peter Bradshaw, THE GUARDIAN

"stunningly original, startlingly fresh... absolutely compelling from first to last frame" 5 STARS
THE IRISH INDEPENDENT

"absorbing, endearing... shot through with beauty and humility." 4 STARS
TIME OUT

Winner of the prestigious International Critics' Prize at the Venice Film Festival, GOODBYE SOLO is the latest film from young, internationally-acclaimed filmmaker Ramin Bahrani (Chop Shop, Man Push Cart), one of the architects of popularly termed American 'neo-neorealism' and recently hailed "the new great American director" by eminent critic Roger Ebert.

Featuring the irresistible pairing of first-time actor Souleymane Sy Savane (nominated for a Best Actor Independent Spirit Award) with former Elvis bodyguard Red West, GOODBYE SOLO is an uplifting exploration of morality at the very heart of a poignant tale of unlikely friendship.

Solo, a Senegalese immigrant driving a taxi in North Carolina, has aspirations of becoming a flight attendant and help provide a better life for his pregnant wife and step-daughter. One night he picks up William, a tough Southern old-timer with a lifetime of regrets. One man's dream is just beginning, while the other's is quickly winding down. But despite their differences, both men soon realize they need each other more than either is willing to admit.

Through this unforgettable friendship, GOODBYE SOLO skillfully explores the passing of a generation as well as the rapidly changing face of the world in which we live.

Bonus features include exclusive interviews with writer-director Ramin Bahrani and actor Souleymane Sy Savane, feature-length commentary with Ramin Bahrani and cinematographer Michael Simmonds, Ramin Bahrani's short film "Plastic Bag" (narrated by Werner Herzog), stills gallery and trailer.


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"hypnotic... mesmerising" 5 STARS
FINANCIAL TIMES

"an instantly gripping, funny, quietly persuasive drama that held me from the first frames. Souleymane Sy Savane gives a superbly likeable performance as Solo" 4 STARS
Peter Bradshaw, THE GUARDIAN

PICK OF THE WEEK
"a sincere study of changing America that stirs the emotions... this well-played drama is too honest and unassuming to dismiss... a fine film"

THE GUARDIAN GUIDE

"[Red West is] wholly convincing, as is the Senegal-born Souleymane Sy Savane... the final sequence... is particularly affecting."
Philip French, THE OBSERVER

"stunningly original, startlingly fresh... absolutely compelling from first to last frame" 5 STARS
THE IRISH INDEPENDENT

"stunning... Ramin Bahrani's story telling is second to none." 4 STARS
SUNDAY TRIBUNE

"gorgeously gentle... gem" 4 STARS
DAILY TELEGRAPH

"A performance of tremendous heart from Savane" 4 STARS
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

"fascinating" 4 STARS
THE TIMES

"absorbing... a nuanced, understated film that strikes a chord and resonates." 4 STARS
Tom Charity, PLAYLIST, THE TIMES

"superior American indie" CRITICS' CHOICE
Wendy Ide, PLAYLIST, THE TIMES

"remarkably poignant" 4 STARS
CULTURE, SUNDAY TIMES

"a quietly affecting, acutely observed... gem of a drama." 4 STARS
DAILY EXPRESS

"moving, wistful and sensitive... marks the coming of age of the buddy movie"
THE INDEPENDENT

"atmospheric...a gem"
INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

"Sensitively handled by Director Ramin Bahrani... a subtle picture"
Jason Solomons, MAIL ON SUNDAY

"brilliant... A great achievement." 5 STARS
NEW INTERNATIONALIST

4 STARS
THE SCOTSMAN

"an absorbing, endearing character piece shot through with beauty and humility." 4 STARS
TIME OUT

"attitude, humour and hope"
THE METRO

"absorbing"
EVENING HERALD

"sheer power... a very touching human story... profound and optimistic" 4 STARS
MORNING STAR

"genuine and charming" 4 STARS
EMPIRE

"beautiful... builds to a climax of heartbreaking poignancy." 4 STARS
TOTAL FILM

"excellent... refreshing... a film that re-establishes the rarefield art of meticulous character analysis" 4 STARS
SONGLINES

"The best film yet from writer-director Ramin Bahrani... a simmering, acutely observed character piece"
SIGHT & SOUND

"A quiet, profoundly human and touching film"
LITTLE WHITE LIES

4 STARS
RADIO TIMES

"an... emotive exploration of the high-contrast relationship
between hope and despair"

SUBLIME MAGAZINE

"beautiful"
Declan Hughes, Playwright & Novelist THE VIEW, RTE TELEVISION

"a new cinematic language"
Sophie Gorman, Arts Editor, Irish Independent THE VIEW, RTE TELEVISION

"a wonderful film... fantastic... powerful performances"
Susan McKay, Writer THE VIEW, RTE TELEVISION

"I liked this a lot... a great... anti-buddy movie"
Xan Brooks, FILM WEEKLY, GUARDIAN & OBSERVER PODCAST

"a thought provoking and compelling narrative" 5 STARS
SAATCHI ONLINE

"tender, tragic and triumphant... masterpiece." 4 STARS
FILM 4

"a visually alluring film... quietly compelling, emotionally complex drama that leaves you with plenty to mull over." 4 STARS
LOVE FILM

"a very endearing movie, rich in meaning and melancholic."
CATCH A VIBE

CINEMA PICK OF THE WEEK
THE VOICE

"thought-provoking... fresh and profound"
MATURE TIMES

"grand, emotional and remarkably hard to second guess. Beautifully acted... powerful"
HORNSEY & CROUCH END JOURNAL

"Bahrani is the new great American director"
ROGER EBERT, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

"Wonderful, moving and mysterious. An almost perfect film."
NEW YORK TIMES

"Powerful, riveting, inspiring"
LOS ANGELES TIMES