Ramin Bahrani

USA | 2008 | 91mins | 35mm | Colour

After the success of Man Push Cart and Chop Shop, Ramin Bahrani’s third feature is another slice of rewardingly idiosyncratic independent filmmaking from the one of the most distinctive and rapidly emerging young auteurs working in cinema today.

Solo is a Senegalese taxi driver living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with aspirations to become a flight attendant. We meet him as he strikes up an unlikely rapport with a disgruntled passenger, 70-year-old William, who convinces Solo to pick him up again in a fortnight to take him to Blowing Rock, a local tourist attraction, but also an imposing and notorious cliff-top.

During the course of their conversation, Solo realises that William has a tragic plan for the end of their road trip and takes it upon himself to befriend the man and help him find a new lease on life. Unfortunately, William does not appreciate the good intentions of his counterpart, and Solo’s heavily pregnant wife and demanding stepdaughter are also competing for his attentions.

The humanist qualities of the main characters shine through as the compelling pairing of first-time actor Souleymane Sy Savane and one-time Elvis bodyguard Red West provides an irresistible charm. Goodbye Solo gradually reveals itself to be a perfectly judged, seemingly effortless story of understated style and craft.

Winner FIPRESCI International Critics Prize – Venice International Film Festival, 2008