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.
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.
