The movie You Will Die at Twenty is a Sudanese drama directed by Amjad Abu Alala. The film is set in the province of Aljazira in Sudan and revolves around the story of a young man named Muzamil who is born under the shadow of a prophecy that he will die at the age of twenty. This prophecy causes his father to leave the family, and his mother Sakina becomes an overprotective parent, shielding her son from the world outside.
As Muzamil approaches his nineteenth birthday, he starts to explore the world outside of his village, and he comes across a group of Sufi dervishes. This encounter opens up his mind to a different perspective on life and death, and he begins to question the prophecy that has hung over him since birth. The dervishes also introduce him to a woman named Naima, who he falls in love with.
As Muzamil navigates through the challenges of growing up and falling in love, he is haunted by the shadow of the prophecy that threatens to end his life prematurely. The movie explores themes of fate, destiny, and the power of belief and faith. It also tackles the struggle between conforming to societal expectations and the desire to break free and live one's own life.
The film received critical acclaim for its cinematography, direction, and performances, particularly by the lead actors Mustafa Shehata and Islam Mubarak. It was screened at several international film festivals, including the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Lion of the Future award for Best Debut Film in the "Venice Days" section.