Say hello to CC alumnus Ramin Bahrani’s feature film Goodbye Solo

Laughter, tears, friendship, and heartache: Ramin Bahrani captures the human spirit and spectrum of human emotion in his new film Goodbye Solo.

Goodbye Solo is the third feature of director and writer Bahrani, CC ’96, whose previous features include Man Push Cart and Chop Shop. Bahrani sat down earlier this week to discuss his film and the influence of his alma mater.

The film follows a Senegalese taxi driver named Solo played by Souleymane Sy Savanè, who befriends William, an elderly passenger with a hard exterior played by Red West. He commissions Solo to drive him around Winston-Salem, N.C. until October 20th. On this day, Solo will drive William to his final destination: Blowing Rock in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With every trip and shared experience, Solo and William form an unexpected friendship that is continuously tested.

In addition to the outstanding work of Hollywood veteran West and trained actor Sy Savanè, the film includes memorable performances by several non-professional actors. Diana Franco Galindo, in particular, gives a beautiful performance as Alex, Solo’s precocious stepdaughter. In reference to Galindo, Bahrani said, “It’s the first time I’ve ever cast a supporting role before I cast a lead.”

In this day and age of big budget films, Hollywood star power, and special effects, Goodbye Solo is a refreshing film with breathtaking footage of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but the style requires a moment of adjustment—the pace of the film is much slower than that of films most are used to. But this is not necessarily a negative aspect of the film. Instead, it allows for the full development of William and Solo and sheds light on the complexity of their lives.

Bahrani’s film is reminiscent of the neorealist style, in which there are non-professional actors, comic relief incorporated, and the city of Winston-Salem becomes a character in its own right.

For the viewers, Bahrani said that he “wanted people really to think about the nature of friendship and what does it mean to care about someone and love someone and how do you do that selflessly.” His film certainly accomplishes this goal. But despite the emotional relationships and events of the film, Bahrani is able to incorporate moments of levity and humor.

Bahrani studied film theory during his four years at Columbia and found inspiration in his courses and professors. He is a fervent supporter of the Core Curriculum. “The Core Curriculum is amazing. That’s something that we’re all lucky to have and to have had if you are at Columbia or have been to Columbia,” he said. As a humble and generous Columbia alumnus, Bahrani takes the time to support his former Columbia classmates by promoting Zachary Levy’s documentary, Strongman, and Aravind Adiga’s book, The White Tiger, during his interview.

Goodbye Solo is a poignant film that tells a new and intriguing story brought to life on the big screen by one of Columbia’s own.