The Montgomery County Sentinel
Maryland - The Ethiopian community of the Washington, DC area came out to watch the screening of Judgment Day (Yefird Ken) on Saturday, December 20th at the Unification Church located in the Adams Morgan section of Washington, DC. Famed Ethiopian singer Tilahun Gessesse appeared at the screening. He is legendary in his home country and in the Ethiopian Diaspora.
Filmed, edited and directed by Temesgen Afework, Judgment Day is an apocalyptic drama filled with suspense, intrigue, and tragedy. Rosa, Played by Tigist Nigatu, has settled comfortably with her husband and son in the Washington, DC suburbs. She and Biruk, Played by Temesgen Afework, run a successful agency downtown. The course of her wonderful life will come down when she unexpectedly bumps into her former boyfriend.
“Judgment Day is an impressive work of cinematic art
infusing biblical references and depicting the Ethiopians
in the Washington, DC area as socially and economically
productive” MCS
Solomon, played by Tekle Desta, is like an apostle going on a mission. And his mission is to destroy Rosa and her family. It is comparable to the resurrection of the dead. The dead are the secrets that she buried and will soon be revealed if he gets his way.
The five years that Solomon spent in prison and the loss of his mother have made him bitter and vengeful. He left his country to find his old girlfriend and take back what is his- their son raised by her and Biruk.
Knowing that she will lose her family if the secret is revealed, she goes so far as to seduce him. Unfazed by her actions, he lets her know that he isn’t going anywhere and will do everything to destroy her. She loses her peace of mind going through a series of emotional breakdowns and nightmares that jeopardize her marriage, family and job. The consequences are tragic for Rosa, Biruk and Solomon.
After the show’s screening, the actors received accolades from the audience and the community. After receiving their plaque of recognition, they bowed to Tilahun as if he were royalty.
Judgment Day is an impressive work of cinematic art infusing biblical references and depicting the Ethiopians in the Washington, DC area as socially and economically productive. Mr. Afework is a skilled actor and director. The actors portrayals are realistic and show they are not afraid to perform in their own skin. Mr. Afework currently attends Strayer University and resides in Silver Spring, MD.
Unfortunately, Judgment Day is not available for distribution at this time. It is being toured throughout the U.S. and Ethiopia. To find out more about the movie screening in other states and about Temesgen Afework, visit his website at www.hollylandpictures.com.
I prefer to translate ” yefird ken” to “The day of Judgment” not “Judgment day”.
Dear Temsgen:
I would like to congradulate you for your acheivment. Keep-up the good job.
I watch a lot of Ethiopian movies and I have always been disappointed at them and the way the films were made… I hope this movie will turn out good because if it doesn’t, I probably stop watching Ethiopian movies….
I haven’t watched the movie yet due to time constraints in this busy world, but I am glad to hear about it, since our script writers and actors/actresses are doing their best to advance our film industry. I congratulate Temesgen for his effort towards promoting our ability through film. I am very much interested in screenwriting and had some unfinished works that I tried back home that is why I appreciate Temesgen for being able to achieve his goal. We as “Habesha” shouldn’t be disappointed by Ethiopian movies. It is starting to crawl like a baby and would one day grow and start too walk like a child eventually like a grown person and it is now growing too. If we are not appreciating our movies which are we going to compliment? the westerners only? that is ridiculous! They were once like us, but they didn’t get discourage and became now what they want. Film industry grows simultaneously with technological advancement. Expecting science fiction movies and scientific research centered movies at this moment from countries like Ethiopia is unthinkable though our actors and screenplay writers are doing their best. Even though they are so talented, we shouldn’t expect them to show us those kinds of works since that is not their problem. It goes with the technological development. Let’s try to appreciate once work and let’s also thank God for those precious people! Appreciating and commenting are encouraging!
hi guys
wow it is look like top movie
It is so true that Ethiopian film industry is not yet advanced….but not disappointing. It is on its way to make a difference, so please stop demoralizing people. Lets appreciate and encourage our creative people…and i think we don’t have to be told that we have to start from the top in order to be counted positively! Thanks for all of you who stand behind and appreciate Ethiopian artists. We will look forward to the change.
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I hope it will be the nice one
first i would like to say congratulation for your achievement. you are great i like your creativity. keep it up mate. this is nice work. you did well.
hi guys, truly said.