Goodbye Solo is a film by Ramin Bahrani. Set in Winston-Salem, N.C., the story begins as William, an elderly white man (Red West) enters a taxi driven by Solo, an African immigrant. William offers $1,000 if Solo will spend ten days to drive him to the top of a mountain located in Blowing Rock National Park. The return trip is not mentioned.Chicago Sun Times: Review Goodbye Solo (March 25, 2009)

• Two men build an unlikely friendship in North Carolina. Solo, played by Souleymany Sy Savane, is a Senegalese taxi cab driver. One day his path crosses with William, played by Red West. William is a old man with tough Southern attitudes and values. The chance encounter turns into a uneasy friendship as both people find common ground. The film is an examination of the passing of a generation and the evolution of modern day American culture.Official Site: Goodbye Solo

• A former Marine and boxer, Red West became friends with Elvis Presley in high school. In 1955, West became Elvis' bodyguard and driver, one of the original members of the "Memphis Mafia". West and Elvis parted ways when West became violent against one of Elvis' cousins. The cousin was bringing Elvis drugs, so West broke the cousin's foot and allegedly threatened to "work his way up to his face".Chicago Sun Times: Review Goodbye Solo (March 25, 2009)

• "Two actors. One from Africa. The other who was a bodyguard for Elvis. Who but Ramin Bahrani would find these men and pair them in a story of heartbreaking depth and power? Bahrani is the new great American director. He never steps wrong. William's face was made to look pissed off. Solo's face was made to smile. We are not speaking of an odd couple here. We're speaking of human nature. You can't learn acting like this. A film like this makes me wonder if we are coming to the end of the facile, snarky indie films. We live in desperate times. We are ready to respond to films that ask that question. How do you live in this world? Wherever you live, when this film opens, it will be the best film in town."—Roger EbertChicago Sun Times: Review Goodbye Solo (March 25, 2009)

• Souleymane Sy Savane as Solo
• Red West as William
• Lane Williams as Roc
• Diana Franco Galindo as Alex
• Mamadou Lam as Mamadou
• Carmen Leyva as Quiera
• Navani Reyes as Navani
• Lasheka Brown as Crack Passenger
• Alexandra Dimopoulos as a Nurse
• Jim Babel as an Airline Interviewer
• Linda Lindsly as an Airline Interviewer
• Sarah S. Brooks as a Passenger
• Chris Greene as a Thug
• Evelia Garcia as a Bar Owner
• Vikotor Hernandez as Quiera's Cousin
• Wel Mayom Jok as a DVD Seller
• Peter N. Anyieth as a DVD Seller
• Norman L. Sloan as a Pharmacist