Words by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff:

Actor, musician and activist Riz Ahmed has never been afraid to speak his mind. Whether in the roles he chooses or giving impassioned speeches in parliament, his work is reflective of what is happening in the world today. Now to coincide with the release of his new album, The Long Goodbye, Riz is releasing a new short film of the same name, as part of the collaboration. A sobering and powerful watch, The Long Goodbye imagines a dystopian near future and sees Riz unpack his feelings towards his country.

Words by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff:

With The Long Goodbye Riz, alongside the director, have created a situation which all good dystopian creators set out to do: a vision of the future that doesn’t seem so far away; one that is perhaps already here.

As argued by academic Dr Ruzbeh Babaee, “It is in the essence of dystopian fiction to make the reader aware of the truth and reality of their life, a call to wake us up from the lies and unreal aspects of our life.” In this alternate universe, we’re provided with an uncompromising and haunting view of what might lie ahead.

The film, starring Riz and both inspired and soundtracked by his upcoming album of the same name, depicts a British South Asian family in the throes of everyday life, who are then violently dragged into the street and packed away into a black van.

The direction comes from a place of keen observational practice, a natural interest in city life and social codes, resulting in powerful, explorative narrative cinema.

The acting comes from the heart, real moments mixed with powerful monologues, highlighting and reminding the audience of the possibility of a hostile situation that could happen at any moment in the UK.